tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739461120444330952017-12-10T19:12:27.055-08:00A Day in the Life of a Lewis"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God."
Micah 6:8Claire &amp; Edenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02028196751611915573noreply@blogger.comBlogger545125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473946112044433095.post-45544237178318943262013-03-19T19:50:00.000-07:002013-04-06T19:52:04.072-07:00Hungry Caterpillar Birthday!The following Saturday, we had a small celebration for Halif's first birthday in his Hungry Caterpillar theme. I bought plates, cups, invitations about 2 years ago when I saw them on clearance and knew we would be doing his nursery in HC. It was great because I just pulled everything out from the nursery to use for some decoration! Friday night Halif started running his first fever since being home. That morning he had slight fever but his cough got so bad that when I fed him for his nap an 1.5 hr before people arrived, he threw up all over me! Neil and girls were gone so I was in a little tizzy trying to get him cleaned up, down for a nap, chicken salad made, vacuum the carpet, bathroom cleaned, etc. My mom thought the party was at 10 a.m. so when she came at 10:20 thinking she was late, she was actually early and saved me! We were so grateful God brought her early so she could help me get things ready while Halif finally fell asleep in the ergo on me. It's a morning I won't forget =) It all came together and thankfully it was just some family and Kate with Everett. Super low key but super special for our little big guy!<br /><br />&nbsp;Here he is pre-throw up in his cute caterpillar shirt (thanks Kristen Zimmer if you read this!) - had to be completely changed post throw up =) <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S6GF9D6E8RE/UWDZGByPp-I/AAAAAAAAIIQ/vszNILpvH44/s1600/DSC09577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S6GF9D6E8RE/UWDZGByPp-I/AAAAAAAAIIQ/vszNILpvH44/s320/DSC09577.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fun decor</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L2f8UDwCppE/UWDZGGJDPsI/AAAAAAAAIIU/I8A_ar6k_Es/s1600/DSC09579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L2f8UDwCppE/UWDZGGJDPsI/AAAAAAAAIIU/I8A_ar6k_Es/s320/DSC09579.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Njikm-TNHQ/UWDZHzglOEI/AAAAAAAAIIg/1FyLM2Tq0n0/s1600/DSC09589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Njikm-TNHQ/UWDZHzglOEI/AAAAAAAAIIg/1FyLM2Tq0n0/s320/DSC09589.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ISwcav1nPhQ/UWDZKq6_RzI/AAAAAAAAIIo/vbmXZGDVpU8/s1600/DSC09593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ISwcav1nPhQ/UWDZKq6_RzI/AAAAAAAAIIo/vbmXZGDVpU8/s320/DSC09593.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--8VtWKUbIjo/UWDZMM9nC-I/AAAAAAAAIIw/rbAqcdWTmLk/s1600/DSC09591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--8VtWKUbIjo/UWDZMM9nC-I/AAAAAAAAIIw/rbAqcdWTmLk/s320/DSC09591.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />I love making these month by month banners for the kid's first birthdays. We didn't have month 1 or 2 for Halif but we're blessed we got to start at 3 months! What fun it is to see how much he changed every month!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yAab6AwCrGI/UWDZM-36bQI/AAAAAAAAII4/ivJT9EphXDI/s1600/DSC09596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yAab6AwCrGI/UWDZM-36bQI/AAAAAAAAII4/ivJT9EphXDI/s320/DSC09596.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SSAD6-poigY/UWDZR6i0ebI/AAAAAAAAIJA/FftiPDnxP3Q/s1600/DSC09601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SSAD6-poigY/UWDZR6i0ebI/AAAAAAAAIJA/FftiPDnxP3Q/s320/DSC09601.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o6XksZgdhG4/UWDZR1n6O1I/AAAAAAAAIJE/oofCRFNPklc/s1600/DSC09600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o6XksZgdhG4/UWDZR1n6O1I/AAAAAAAAIJE/oofCRFNPklc/s320/DSC09600.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DaiizPiJ8_4/UWDZR7afwHI/AAAAAAAAIJI/Gdt8rOj205E/s1600/DSC09599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DaiizPiJ8_4/UWDZR7afwHI/AAAAAAAAIJI/Gdt8rOj205E/s320/DSC09599.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Special punch in special cups for VERY special girls!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5O761P8nYNY/UWDZUoZ9gtI/AAAAAAAAIJY/DjGmx4bmyRc/s1600/DSC09602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5O761P8nYNY/UWDZUoZ9gtI/AAAAAAAAIJY/DjGmx4bmyRc/s320/DSC09602.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Had chicken salad, turkey roll ups, yummy salad, cheese and fruit with holes in them</div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;(Hungry Caterpillar ate through them!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7CmwzbH7p5o/UWDZW7Awd4I/AAAAAAAAIJg/ncVMTDo8ick/s1600/DSC09605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7CmwzbH7p5o/UWDZW7Awd4I/AAAAAAAAIJg/ncVMTDo8ick/s320/DSC09605.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Showing off his walking skills - he's a fast one!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--fBmzhzjwDs/UWDZXqTakCI/AAAAAAAAIJo/OKpuaxDJMmk/s1600/DSC09612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--fBmzhzjwDs/UWDZXqTakCI/AAAAAAAAIJo/OKpuaxDJMmk/s320/DSC09612.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Uncle Mike with Claire &amp; Eden</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-236vfDgNzY4/UWDZambXJLI/AAAAAAAAIJw/2u_FjygYX8A/s1600/DSC09614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-236vfDgNzY4/UWDZambXJLI/AAAAAAAAIJw/2u_FjygYX8A/s320/DSC09614.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Uncle Mike, Aunt Heather &amp; Baby brother</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jn6tpAeEExk/UWDZebv9zyI/AAAAAAAAIJ4/-l3hfj-sjkU/s1600/DSC09616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jn6tpAeEExk/UWDZebv9zyI/AAAAAAAAIJ4/-l3hfj-sjkU/s320/DSC09616.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pierce had a great time playing outside!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_5NVy_PNpZA/UWDZee5LtJI/AAAAAAAAIJ8/Ixliaje4G2k/s1600/DSC09626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_5NVy_PNpZA/UWDZee5LtJI/AAAAAAAAIJ8/Ixliaje4G2k/s320/DSC09626.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Swinging!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uYU4-hJb2WI/UWDZf9P4IkI/AAAAAAAAIKI/ZbGE9k3NaD8/s1600/DSC09629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uYU4-hJb2WI/UWDZf9P4IkI/AAAAAAAAIKI/ZbGE9k3NaD8/s320/DSC09629.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Eating lunch outside - Grandma, Mike, Heather &amp; Jan with the kiddos</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lb9t-qtkq_w/UWDZln6f6gI/AAAAAAAAIKY/80ejL6Vge3c/s1600/DSC09632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lb9t-qtkq_w/UWDZln6f6gI/AAAAAAAAIKY/80ejL6Vge3c/s320/DSC09632.JPG" width="320" />&nbsp;</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;Halif LOVED his birthday song - he danced along, smiled and clapped but wanted nothing to do with his cupcake =) Not sure if it was because he wasn't feeling well or just not interested. It was the first time he asked me to get him out of his high chair before he ate anything. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VJ_cdqtgT4Y/UWDZih1dyXI/AAAAAAAAIKQ/EoneVVncAXM/s1600/DSC09635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VJ_cdqtgT4Y/UWDZih1dyXI/AAAAAAAAIKQ/EoneVVncAXM/s320/DSC09635.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hHEIwb6pinA/UWDZmbz--RI/AAAAAAAAIKg/Hooogp95LRI/s1600/DSC09638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hHEIwb6pinA/UWDZmbz--RI/AAAAAAAAIKg/Hooogp95LRI/s320/DSC09638.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gb3PMbcQoA4/UWDZmyiBLDI/AAAAAAAAIKk/gqgFoRcSNeo/s1600/DSC09642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gb3PMbcQoA4/UWDZmyiBLDI/AAAAAAAAIKk/gqgFoRcSNeo/s320/DSC09642.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jJX8ehIZIt0/UWDZoqwmT7I/AAAAAAAAIKw/5c1SEDMGQCk/s1600/DSC09645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jJX8ehIZIt0/UWDZoqwmT7I/AAAAAAAAIKw/5c1SEDMGQCk/s320/DSC09645.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">He fed Daddy and then was done!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A2WAQkiQjcE/UWDZrakglcI/AAAAAAAAIK4/VCQqFYufVTc/s1600/DSC09647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A2WAQkiQjcE/UWDZrakglcI/AAAAAAAAIK4/VCQqFYufVTc/s320/DSC09647.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Opening gifts</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8h0tMXPxAN0/UWDZr_KWYkI/AAAAAAAAILA/RejkZce-dIQ/s1600/DSC09651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8h0tMXPxAN0/UWDZr_KWYkI/AAAAAAAAILA/RejkZce-dIQ/s320/DSC09651.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fc6ntVxvIio/UWDZtHZ2s6I/AAAAAAAAILI/wjUAyWjq8t8/s1600/DSC09663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fc6ntVxvIio/UWDZtHZ2s6I/AAAAAAAAILI/wjUAyWjq8t8/s320/DSC09663.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Everett and Halif hanging out</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XU1uqsyn3CA/UWDZw0iop6I/AAAAAAAAILQ/f4t0OrYDSX8/s1600/DSC09678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XU1uqsyn3CA/UWDZw0iop6I/AAAAAAAAILQ/f4t0OrYDSX8/s320/DSC09678.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Grandma</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JRKnfZw8YTI/UWDZx7pDSYI/AAAAAAAAILY/Fqx6tx9LVX4/s1600/DSC09682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JRKnfZw8YTI/UWDZx7pDSYI/AAAAAAAAILY/Fqx6tx9LVX4/s320/DSC09682.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">New shoes from Grandma</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IiW382hYy4M/UWDZyAnvE2I/AAAAAAAAILc/gFOr5Gz5wZg/s1600/DSC09668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IiW382hYy4M/UWDZyAnvE2I/AAAAAAAAILc/gFOr5Gz5wZg/s320/DSC09668.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mimi and Poppa came too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n33jXPyqvHg/UWDZz2lcK6I/AAAAAAAAILo/fkMYvZ7_bCc/s1600/DSC09686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n33jXPyqvHg/UWDZz2lcK6I/AAAAAAAAILo/fkMYvZ7_bCc/s320/DSC09686.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">So glad Jan was in from out of state visiting Mike &amp; Heather so she could celebrate with us!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zkvXAgNz5EM/UWDZ2bfZ-YI/AAAAAAAAILw/yG48JOJYqpY/s1600/DSC09696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zkvXAgNz5EM/UWDZ2bfZ-YI/AAAAAAAAILw/yG48JOJYqpY/s320/DSC09696.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Halif went for his nap and we all just hung out and visited more. It was a wonderful day of family! We don't have everyone over often so it was really a nice time to just have quality time together. A sweet happy birthday to our baby boy - our miracle and gift from God!Claire &amp; Edenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02028196751611915573noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473946112044433095.post-56767805006643148552013-03-18T19:12:00.000-07:002013-04-06T19:13:07.437-07:00Happy 1st Birthday Buddy Boy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">SO hard to believe this little one turned 1 on March 13th just shy of 6 months being home! It's been a front row seat to seeing God grow, heal and bond this little guy right into our family. We can't imagine life without him and are SO thankful that we were brought together. We had such a fun day doing a lot of his favorite things to celebrate his special day!</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jfqkOqHHSJA/UWDR8x7c7XI/AAAAAAAAIG4/EISp8EF9opA/s1600/DSC01143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jfqkOqHHSJA/UWDR8x7c7XI/AAAAAAAAIG4/EISp8EF9opA/s320/DSC01143.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my favorite pictures of this sweet, smiley boy - my amazing son!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZQlOY0eEcU/UWDR-RDsHNI/AAAAAAAAIHI/KFExppvQ4Jo/s1600/DSC01149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZQlOY0eEcU/UWDR-RDsHNI/AAAAAAAAIHI/KFExppvQ4Jo/s320/DSC01149.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Took a bubble bath with his sisters</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NUyeLgv1lzk/UWDR815j5-I/AAAAAAAAIG8/5TY1FJdJJKM/s1600/DSC01161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NUyeLgv1lzk/UWDR815j5-I/AAAAAAAAIG8/5TY1FJdJJKM/s320/DSC01161.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ate lunch at Rome's - restaurant we ate at the night we got our referral, we were eating their when we got our travel call, we ate there when he got his helmet off... seemed appropriate to celebrate there!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x4t6cN52xeg/UWDSB_QdrRI/AAAAAAAAIHQ/nuv1pWm2Gw0/s1600/DSC01166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x4t6cN52xeg/UWDSB_QdrRI/AAAAAAAAIHQ/nuv1pWm2Gw0/s320/DSC01166.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Went to the park to climb, slide &amp; swing!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xW7mwD7TfNY/UWDSEqLwr_I/AAAAAAAAIHY/RvHKI3biRQQ/s1600/DSC01167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xW7mwD7TfNY/UWDSEqLwr_I/AAAAAAAAIHY/RvHKI3biRQQ/s320/DSC01167.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i0KH4NsLDaM/UWDSGpXH7dI/AAAAAAAAIHg/_xOHrTOgzyA/s1600/DSC01174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i0KH4NsLDaM/UWDSGpXH7dI/AAAAAAAAIHg/_xOHrTOgzyA/s320/DSC01174.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YaroCpKasL0/UWDSI6sF1BI/AAAAAAAAIHo/-SOWc5w5VR8/s1600/DSC01180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YaroCpKasL0/UWDSI6sF1BI/AAAAAAAAIHo/-SOWc5w5VR8/s320/DSC01180.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Htz0fyFGWQE/UWDSKWJuxHI/AAAAAAAAIHw/SI3Efz_KYQ8/s1600/DSC01188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Htz0fyFGWQE/UWDSKWJuxHI/AAAAAAAAIHw/SI3Efz_KYQ8/s320/DSC01188.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandpa brought Halif his cars gift so they could spend some time together before his business trip</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BKZzAFGNh-I/UWDSNL0GUqI/AAAAAAAAIH4/9Y9DyWLHbSM/s1600/DSC01191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BKZzAFGNh-I/UWDSNL0GUqI/AAAAAAAAIH4/9Y9DyWLHbSM/s320/DSC01191.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;It was a day of great blessing and one that we will cherish! The next day I took Halif to his first year appointment. He wanted to wear his shoes even without his clothes on - this boy LOVES shoes! It's hilarious!&nbsp; Halif has amazingly climbed up the charts with his growth as he wasn't even on the charts 6 months ago. God has brought him from a teeny, tiny, frail, sick 3 month old to a strong, healthy,</div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;alert and active 1 yr old. To God be the GLORY!!</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Weight - 19 lbs. 14 oz. (26%)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Height - 28 inches (9%)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FPf_p5_pcuU/UWDSPpsR96I/AAAAAAAAIIA/v6tQ80KLBRs/s1600/DSC01194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FPf_p5_pcuU/UWDSPpsR96I/AAAAAAAAIIA/v6tQ80KLBRs/s320/DSC01194.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ALu93QV1Hy8/UWDSP9H4c5I/AAAAAAAAIIE/oDVKZ3BMSzk/s1600/DSC01195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ALu93QV1Hy8/UWDSP9H4c5I/AAAAAAAAIIE/oDVKZ3BMSzk/s320/DSC01195.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Claire &amp; Edenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02028196751611915573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473946112044433095.post-50708058742275529692013-03-16T20:01:00.003-07:002013-03-16T20:01:57.212-07:00Spring is hereI LOVE Spring Break and spring is here!! We spent a lot of time outside enjoying our spring days before it turns into summer heat. I really loved looking back at our pictures from the week as we all enjoyed each other more by slowing down, not running around like crazy and just taking it a day at a time.<br /><br />&nbsp;We love the park and Claire is learning how to ride without training wheels. We don't live on a street that is conducive to riding so we only get out when we go to my parents or to the park. She picked it up fast and stayed up by herself for about 8 seconds!! It was a joy to see her listen to Neil's coaching and trust him to help steady her with his hand on her seat. I remember my big brother teaching me how to ride my bike and how special of a memory it was to anticipate going out and the feeling of accomplishment when I finally got it! Eden is more than excited for Claire to learn so she can get Claire's bike as she will graduates to her bigger bike she got for her birthday =) <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_fNwSjfMP_w/UUUq7qP9XAI/AAAAAAAAIBo/jCj_Yk_wg6k/s1600/DSC01073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_fNwSjfMP_w/UUUq7qP9XAI/AAAAAAAAIBo/jCj_Yk_wg6k/s320/DSC01073.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tg3G8RLX0lA/UUUq8h0DKOI/AAAAAAAAIBw/Nzh3r7Ld_dE/s1600/DSC01070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tg3G8RLX0lA/UUUq8h0DKOI/AAAAAAAAIBw/Nzh3r7Ld_dE/s320/DSC01070.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pEa1BKdmnk8/UUUq9sUgzbI/AAAAAAAAIB4/UElyWAcasmI/s1600/DSC01074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pEa1BKdmnk8/UUUq9sUgzbI/AAAAAAAAIB4/UElyWAcasmI/s320/DSC01074.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LizWYl7vR4s/UUUrBt-m9dI/AAAAAAAAICA/mxkIfDMBx3s/s1600/DSC01077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LizWYl7vR4s/UUUrBt-m9dI/AAAAAAAAICA/mxkIfDMBx3s/s320/DSC01077.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CQOre4svVCc/UUUrDL-RAlI/AAAAAAAAICI/Do0A-UjlkfE/s1600/DSC01083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CQOre4svVCc/UUUrDL-RAlI/AAAAAAAAICI/Do0A-UjlkfE/s320/DSC01083.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yRp0scav4tA/UUUrF5yD6CI/AAAAAAAAICQ/8j2fRN39hzg/s1600/DSC01078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yRp0scav4tA/UUUrF5yD6CI/AAAAAAAAICQ/8j2fRN39hzg/s320/DSC01078.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My sweet curly-Q</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uFRZMqVn80Y/UUUrGPEluOI/AAAAAAAAICY/W_fsToon2Uk/s1600/DSC01085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uFRZMqVn80Y/UUUrGPEluOI/AAAAAAAAICY/W_fsToon2Uk/s320/DSC01085.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CjpfDc1F_ko/UUUrJLOx3ZI/AAAAAAAAICg/6AE_FVA_xhc/s1600/DSC01094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CjpfDc1F_ko/UUUrJLOx3ZI/AAAAAAAAICg/6AE_FVA_xhc/s320/DSC01094.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This guy loves the park too!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4zPgKX1aXPk/UUUrLgpoz8I/AAAAAAAAICo/ZoEg1_tWktQ/s1600/DSC01098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4zPgKX1aXPk/UUUrLgpoz8I/AAAAAAAAICo/ZoEg1_tWktQ/s320/DSC01098.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-esvozP0cthc/UUUrMPNNtLI/AAAAAAAAICw/jn0hz9zZ5m4/s1600/DSC01097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-esvozP0cthc/UUUrMPNNtLI/AAAAAAAAICw/jn0hz9zZ5m4/s320/DSC01097.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tickling, rolling down the hill, laughing...this is what sister memories are made of</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VeawMj_4jXc/UUUrQ2qVEXI/AAAAAAAAIC4/xpyxcLzPbLQ/s1600/DSC01111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VeawMj_4jXc/UUUrQ2qVEXI/AAAAAAAAIC4/xpyxcLzPbLQ/s320/DSC01111.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VkY8_kwcDPU/UUUrUomxA0I/AAAAAAAAIDA/X9gb21QQjdw/s1600/DSC01114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VkY8_kwcDPU/UUUrUomxA0I/AAAAAAAAIDA/X9gb21QQjdw/s320/DSC01114.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GIinGeigRFU/UUUrYgIejbI/AAAAAAAAIDI/gWPkhPz1nMA/s1600/DSC01115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GIinGeigRFU/UUUrYgIejbI/AAAAAAAAIDI/gWPkhPz1nMA/s320/DSC01115.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jKOigm5p2oU/UUUrZSX5_pI/AAAAAAAAIDY/nX0IjDgFRSg/s1600/DSC01116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jKOigm5p2oU/UUUrZSX5_pI/AAAAAAAAIDY/nX0IjDgFRSg/s320/DSC01116.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Friday we had a special trip down to ride the train by the zoo. It was a beautiful day and we really stretched it out by then feeding the ducks, walking through the Japanese Tea Garden, getting a snow cone and making a trip to St. P.J.'s to drop off all the donations from Claire's party. My camera battery died so we didn't capture it all but sometimes it's nice to just put the camera down, enjoy the moment as it happens and tuck it away as a memory. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1RughAL9lDk/UUUrgIPVbEI/AAAAAAAAIDo/mnPH9jqAcAM/s1600/DSC01198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1RughAL9lDk/UUUrgIPVbEI/AAAAAAAAIDo/mnPH9jqAcAM/s320/DSC01198.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Halif's first time on a train...he wasn't too sure about it...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7sZmwLJ-zfc/UUUrh4CCstI/AAAAAAAAIDw/sA8v2M0GLlg/s1600/DSC01202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7sZmwLJ-zfc/UUUrh4CCstI/AAAAAAAAIDw/sA8v2M0GLlg/s320/DSC01202.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SV8N9QWfaaw/UUUrjUvMhvI/AAAAAAAAID4/GXAvrQ4H_-k/s1600/DSC01201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SV8N9QWfaaw/UUUrjUvMhvI/AAAAAAAAID4/GXAvrQ4H_-k/s320/DSC01201.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">But he warmed up and had a great time towards the end =)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-of02LHWV2dU/UUUrmpYkV7I/AAAAAAAAIEA/x2aQn3vDvOk/s1600/DSC01203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-of02LHWV2dU/UUUrmpYkV7I/AAAAAAAAIEA/x2aQn3vDvOk/s320/DSC01203.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tetbMwe3ixE/UUUrpsTIFeI/AAAAAAAAIEE/bBhCBLKJxJc/s1600/DSC01204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tetbMwe3ixE/UUUrpsTIFeI/AAAAAAAAIEE/bBhCBLKJxJc/s320/DSC01204.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>My sweet girl at St. P.J.'s - she was so sad (to tears) that she didn't get to see the kids so we are planning a trip to volunteer down there together. She is so excited to do this again next year!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ClhIgeAFsE/UUUrqVfVjXI/AAAAAAAAIEI/1gapmu5CvTo/s1600/DSC01205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ClhIgeAFsE/UUUrqVfVjXI/AAAAAAAAIEI/1gapmu5CvTo/s320/DSC01205.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I get really spoiled during Spring Break with Neil home all week! I love being married to a teacher so we can spend our holidays together. What a blessing it is to have a husband and father who is always lovingly present, active and engaging during his time with us! Claire &amp; Edenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02028196751611915573noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473946112044433095.post-78937118628394062852013-03-12T21:07:00.000-07:002013-03-12T21:07:55.194-07:00HealingThis afternoon was so wonderful! We got together with the Matheny Family who we met 9 years ago as newly weds at church. Just as we were both starting our families, they moved but we kept in touch here and there. When we both started our adoption journeys we started communicating more and always enjoyed seeing them on their visits back to San Antonio while visiting family. Well, they are getting ready to serve in Burkina Faso, Africa where they traveled to bring home their sweet one, Daniel and living in San Antonio for a little bit. Here are some pictures from 2 years ago and then again tonight as we each had our newest members finally home! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562637189014423634" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7yPJbazpYsg/TTJ1DSGVCFI/AAAAAAAAFEs/Izu2TygjK74/s400/P1130290.jpg" style="display: block; height: 296px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">January 2011 - Eden, Claire, Emily &amp; Titus waiting for their brothers to come home</td></tr></tbody></table></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C2czAktde8o/UT_u7UVKWFI/AAAAAAAAIAo/k03-NVxW3tg/s1600/DSC01120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C2czAktde8o/UT_u7UVKWFI/AAAAAAAAIAo/k03-NVxW3tg/s320/DSC01120.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">March 2013 - Grown up and all home!<br /><br />These kids were so joyful playing together in the beautiful weather! I could've stayed out there all evening just listening to them laugh, play and run up and down our hill! </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-86COpcg9j5Y/UT_u5Gs6NHI/AAAAAAAAIAg/EAPpgm0z76U/s1600/DSC01118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-86COpcg9j5Y/UT_u5Gs6NHI/AAAAAAAAIAg/EAPpgm0z76U/s320/DSC01118.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UY9LDh3mzQI/UT_u81EOkwI/AAAAAAAAIAw/HVG6GDyOjeo/s1600/DSC01119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UY9LDh3mzQI/UT_u81EOkwI/AAAAAAAAIAw/HVG6GDyOjeo/s320/DSC01119.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Having fun with cascarones and chocolate chip cookies!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--2psAsI7E4o/UT_u-emgXxI/AAAAAAAAIA4/m2nHux6Nxhc/s1600/DSC01130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--2psAsI7E4o/UT_u-emgXxI/AAAAAAAAIA4/m2nHux6Nxhc/s320/DSC01130.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LrIvw6TiBfk/UT_vAOA2NDI/AAAAAAAAIBA/HKtwLKf9kYg/s1600/DSC01132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LrIvw6TiBfk/UT_vAOA2NDI/AAAAAAAAIBA/HKtwLKf9kYg/s320/DSC01132.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nfb15TTG67U/UT_vD2vFP6I/AAAAAAAAIBI/E4Y-E3iy7z4/s1600/DSC01136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nfb15TTG67U/UT_vD2vFP6I/AAAAAAAAIBI/E4Y-E3iy7z4/s320/DSC01136.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XVAC1jpyGzA/UT_vGs0VJhI/AAAAAAAAIBQ/F4UzWs4IguI/s1600/DSC01135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XVAC1jpyGzA/UT_vGs0VJhI/AAAAAAAAIBQ/F4UzWs4IguI/s320/DSC01135.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Just seeing our boys tonight, laughing and playing, was so wonderful. There has been such amazing healing and growth that God has orchestrated in each of our families and our little boys bodies and hearts. I was so incredibly blessed by my conversations with Sara... talking to someone who has been there, done that was healing to me. It was reassuring to know that I am not alone and that my heart is shared by others. I've been a bit weary the past week as we come upon Halif's first birthday and I have very mixed emotions. Everything I shared with Sara was something she had experienced as they celebrated Daniel's birthday with him for the first time last March. Thank you Sara for such a healing time together! Looking forward to getting together again soon. What an amazing family you and Philip have been blessed with!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-flrSIpW-C5E/UT_vHNLHqRI/AAAAAAAAIBY/aH-5rFAKA9k/s1600/DSC01139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-flrSIpW-C5E/UT_vHNLHqRI/AAAAAAAAIBY/aH-5rFAKA9k/s320/DSC01139.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>We will be taking Halif to a special lunch tomorrow to celebrate the day God brought him into this world. We will also be praying and talking about Halif's birthmom with him. It will be a beautiful day together.Claire &amp; Edenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02028196751611915573noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473946112044433095.post-83958752563017817072013-03-09T20:36:00.003-08:002013-03-09T20:36:59.463-08:00Our Scientist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our sweet girl has always loved science and after getting an experiment kit from my parents for Christmas, she was set on having a science experiment birthday party! I LOVED the idea and had such a great time getting everything together for the kids to have a great time. She wanted to invite her entire class this year and a few friends her age from church&nbsp;so we had it at the park just in case everyone could make it. After a soggy evening and morning,&nbsp;I was thanking God for giving us such a beautiful afternoon because we had 23 kids celebrating with us!&nbsp; I didn't get a picture of all the tables but we had a "Guess How Many M&amp;M's are in the Jar", items set up to look at with a magnifying glass, make your own slime and Sink or Float where they guessed what items would sink and what items would float. It was so much fun &amp; worth all the effort!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--KSOaTRF-wc/UTwGY2OWTLI/AAAAAAAAH-Y/gjUpWDU7Fn0/s1600/DSC00997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" jsa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--KSOaTRF-wc/UTwGY2OWTLI/AAAAAAAAH-Y/gjUpWDU7Fn0/s320/DSC00997.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Making Slime!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g2s1hW89Mds/UTwGcNu3HUI/AAAAAAAAH-g/h3QerDmeSmo/s1600/DSC00989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" jsa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g2s1hW89Mds/UTwGcNu3HUI/AAAAAAAAH-g/h3QerDmeSmo/s320/DSC00989.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rmhC8HjdZA8/UTwGgvhAE4I/AAAAAAAAH-o/q2Cfyt_mfgM/s1600/DSC01001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" jsa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rmhC8HjdZA8/UTwGgvhAE4I/AAAAAAAAH-o/q2Cfyt_mfgM/s320/DSC01001.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yvi05VaxmTo/UTwGq8x2lHI/AAAAAAAAH-w/m-ixQYr7COw/s1600/DSC01004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" jsa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yvi05VaxmTo/UTwGq8x2lHI/AAAAAAAAH-w/m-ixQYr7COw/s320/DSC01004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;The kids LOVED the dry ice I finally found! I was trying to get a bubble layer on top of the bowl for the carbon dioxide of the dry ice to blow a bubble but it was too windy =( The kids still liked to watch and anticipate what was going to happen. LOVE this picture of our faces after a little bubble popped!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kAMTeNqOBOU/UTwGrfx0g4I/AAAAAAAAH-4/y1YDHQi2lDg/s1600/DSC01017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" jsa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kAMTeNqOBOU/UTwGrfx0g4I/AAAAAAAAH-4/y1YDHQi2lDg/s320/DSC01017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;feeling the "smoke" from the dry ice</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IJnOVkoWYOQ/UTwG1IcZe7I/AAAAAAAAH_A/Mri5XVCUIyU/s1600/DSC01014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" jsa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IJnOVkoWYOQ/UTwG1IcZe7I/AAAAAAAAH_A/Mri5XVCUIyU/s320/DSC01014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Here they are waiting for our explosion! Mentos and soda...didn't explode as well as </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'd hoped but they still enjoyed it!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AF8SRRsMFRI/UTwG_2jbuVI/AAAAAAAAH_Q/lFKZw2RkSbQ/s1600/DSC01021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" jsa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AF8SRRsMFRI/UTwG_2jbuVI/AAAAAAAAH_Q/lFKZw2RkSbQ/s320/DSC01021.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RbJcCv1mgq0/UTwG7yaprYI/AAAAAAAAH_I/RbNk-9rPakA/s1600/DSC01027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" jsa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RbJcCv1mgq0/UTwG7yaprYI/AAAAAAAAH_I/RbNk-9rPakA/s320/DSC01027.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Me and my birthday girl with our beaker cake!! It had dry ice in the middle to look like it was brewing something but you can't really see the "smoke" in the picture. The kids thought it was so cool!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NQCuIb6mLPc/UTwHAISGeaI/AAAAAAAAH_U/TwtFOMTuC74/s1600/DSC01034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" jsa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NQCuIb6mLPc/UTwHAISGeaI/AAAAAAAAH_U/TwtFOMTuC74/s320/DSC01034.JPG" width="240" /></a>﻿ <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ay0BTZt62cA/UTwHMwqsxEI/AAAAAAAAH_o/FFXCLbK4joM/s1600/DSC01040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" jsa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ay0BTZt62cA/UTwHMwqsxEI/AAAAAAAAH_o/FFXCLbK4joM/s320/DSC01040.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table>The best family picture we could get - Eden was really enjoying that cake!</div>﻿&nbsp; <div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Gx84qz9k6U/UTwHZ3WSopI/AAAAAAAAIAA/Y7zG5emn51o/s1600/DSC01050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" jsa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Gx84qz9k6U/UTwHZ3WSopI/AAAAAAAAIAA/Y7zG5emn51o/s320/DSC01050.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--AmehsN9PiQ/UTwHZGxlY8I/AAAAAAAAH_4/cBPAs9S34Y0/s1600/DSC01044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" jsa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--AmehsN9PiQ/UTwHZGxlY8I/AAAAAAAAH_4/cBPAs9S34Y0/s320/DSC01044.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Claire and her teacher, Mrs. Thomas&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dYDQHpkBO_k/UTwHlVPwClI/AAAAAAAAIAM/29amgkTWBms/s1600/DSC01055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" jsa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dYDQHpkBO_k/UTwHlVPwClI/AAAAAAAAIAM/29amgkTWBms/s320/DSC01055.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f9U8wwed_kc/UTwHJYY9SSI/AAAAAAAAH_g/UtBKIderoRc/s1600/DSC01039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" jsa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f9U8wwed_kc/UTwHJYY9SSI/AAAAAAAAH_g/UtBKIderoRc/s320/DSC01039.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">&nbsp;Instead of gifts for Claire,&nbsp;kids brought items to take to<a href="http://www.stpjhome.org/"> St. P.J.'s Children Home</a> and they really loved it! Claire can't wait to deliver all of the things to P.J.'s sometime this week while on Spring Break.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rVjmXuswr-E/UTwHlONg8yI/AAAAAAAAIAI/X1c0BNzZ8mo/s1600/DSC01063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" jsa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rVjmXuswr-E/UTwHlONg8yI/AAAAAAAAIAI/X1c0BNzZ8mo/s320/DSC01063.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><br /><img height="96" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tIytTBkX6Q0/UTwHXoD7jaI/AAAAAAAAH_w/nEElBoWIhV0/s320/DSC01054.JPG" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 441px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 2565px; visibility: hidden;" width="72" /> <div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tIytTBkX6Q0/UTwHXoD7jaI/AAAAAAAAH_w/nEElBoWIhV0/s1600/DSC01054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" jsa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tIytTBkX6Q0/UTwHXoD7jaI/AAAAAAAAH_w/nEElBoWIhV0/s320/DSC01054.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="right" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Birthday Claire!! We had so much fun celebrating you today! Now onto Halif's birthday on Wednesday and a small family birthday party on Saturday.﻿</div>Claire &amp; Edenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02028196751611915573noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473946112044433095.post-49992360838175285552013-03-08T20:55:00.003-08:002013-03-08T20:55:56.207-08:007<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I can't believe my baby is 7 years old!! She was more excited this year than ever before which made it really fun =) We gave her a sketch book she had been asking for from Hobby Lobby and&nbsp;we surprised her with with her sequin hat that she had been eyeing since January. So fun to keep a secret that long just too see the reaction when someone realizes you remembered they really wanted something!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qpW9Smcfgys/UTftexKMEzI/AAAAAAAAH9Q/1CfdRnMKvY4/s1600/bday+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" jsa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qpW9Smcfgys/UTftexKMEzI/AAAAAAAAH9Q/1CfdRnMKvY4/s400/bday+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We went to eat at her favorite restaurant, Mela, which is an Indian restaurant we only go to with groupons! She really loves the naan there but most of all, she loves the chandeliers =) It's a fancy restaurant to her and she always feels special when we go. It was a great pick and we were so glad to share it with grandma, Mimi &amp; Poppa!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qb7JITsuBSM/UTf0t8GRocI/AAAAAAAAH9g/W26dZ7E1WVI/s1600/DSC00182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" jsa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qb7JITsuBSM/UTf0t8GRocI/AAAAAAAAH9g/W26dZ7E1WVI/s320/DSC00182.JPG" width="178" /></a></div>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Drawing in her sketch book<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZLAhvh11Dc/UTf0vY2UQCI/AAAAAAAAH9o/pxT4SqnVdtg/s1600/DSC00180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" jsa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZLAhvh11Dc/UTf0vY2UQCI/AAAAAAAAH9o/pxT4SqnVdtg/s320/DSC00180.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fqo2NMeglnM/UTf0v1y88LI/AAAAAAAAH9s/x8ROc6eDy9k/s1600/DSC00178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" jsa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fqo2NMeglnM/UTf0v1y88LI/AAAAAAAAH9s/x8ROc6eDy9k/s320/DSC00178.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6KwTvI8QAw/UTf0zT-CaNI/AAAAAAAAH94/-PlSanyK5as/s1600/DSC00184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" jsa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6KwTvI8QAw/UTf0zT-CaNI/AAAAAAAAH94/-PlSanyK5as/s320/DSC00184.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Grandma got her a baby carrier which I just LOVE! She saw one in a catalog a few weeks ago and gasped when she&nbsp;said "Mom, I would love one of these!" So sweet that my 7 year old&nbsp;sweetheart still loves to play little mommy to her dolls and I especially love that she wants to wear her babies just like I wear Halif. Makes me hold onto my big girl still being my baby girl in so many ways... although she'll always be my baby!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AF06sfs47Vg/UTf00CrL5hI/AAAAAAAAH98/IZil6Axzhow/s1600/DSC00190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" jsa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AF06sfs47Vg/UTf00CrL5hI/AAAAAAAAH98/IZil6Axzhow/s320/DSC00190.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Happy Birthday Claire Bear! We love you!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Claire &amp; Edenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02028196751611915573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473946112044433095.post-15027317459510141042013-03-05T20:34:00.000-08:002013-03-05T20:34:04.206-08:00Science Fair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So proud of our sweet scientist! Claire has really grown to love science and we want to encourage her any way we can. She was really excited to participate in the science fair at school and knew she wanted to watch something grow =) So she planted 4 cups of cucumber seeds and watered them with different water mixtures. She&nbsp;planted and watered the seeds every other day, wrote everything out (even after a rough draft) for her board, took pictures and from her words "had fun and learned a lot"! She was so proud to show us her board up at the open house but disappointed that she didn't win anything when she "worked reall hard". Of course, we assured her that it was so much more than about winning and that we'd try again next year. Just love this girl and her eagerness to learn!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aR-lvAeOGN4/UTbDEHCi3cI/AAAAAAAAH8M/EtcXAkkSRDw/s1600/DSC00145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" jsa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aR-lvAeOGN4/UTbDEHCi3cI/AAAAAAAAH8M/EtcXAkkSRDw/s320/DSC00145.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iQc2Yxfmznk/UTbDN2mYdZI/AAAAAAAAH8Q/C3KUoltpQZQ/s1600/DSC00134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" jsa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iQc2Yxfmznk/UTbDN2mYdZI/AAAAAAAAH8Q/C3KUoltpQZQ/s320/DSC00134.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qp4pUzoohMQ/UTbD_iI5gmI/AAAAAAAAH8g/bNZLrc0lyf4/s1600/DSC00140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" jsa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qp4pUzoohMQ/UTbD_iI5gmI/AAAAAAAAH8g/bNZLrc0lyf4/s320/DSC00140.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Gjifj3GA-4/UTbD0ez-7BI/AAAAAAAAH8Y/NG2Cp5lTvLk/s1600/DSC00135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" jsa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Gjifj3GA-4/UTbD0ez-7BI/AAAAAAAAH8Y/NG2Cp5lTvLk/s320/DSC00135.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u3QC18MhjUE/UTbEq0ISz_I/AAAAAAAAH8o/xTeGD_qQYb0/s1600/DSC00138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" jsa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u3QC18MhjUE/UTbEq0ISz_I/AAAAAAAAH8o/xTeGD_qQYb0/s320/DSC00138.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-01LFrI4o4vo/UTbFYf04vxI/AAAAAAAAH8w/ok3b5vDNdyA/s1600/DSC00139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" jsa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-01LFrI4o4vo/UTbFYf04vxI/AAAAAAAAH8w/ok3b5vDNdyA/s320/DSC00139.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ye3g6Cvq5n0/UTbFayAp-hI/AAAAAAAAH84/b1QHnsn9Fgo/s1600/DSC00142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" jsa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ye3g6Cvq5n0/UTbFayAp-hI/AAAAAAAAH84/b1QHnsn9Fgo/s320/DSC00142.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Claire &amp; Edenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02028196751611915573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473946112044433095.post-31027568844910136822013-02-23T19:55:00.002-08:002013-02-23T19:55:41.694-08:00From the mouths of babes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2GFgxC5Zmrk/USmHNlzRjAI/AAAAAAAAH6k/vgqUAfsmjQ4/s1600/DSC09988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" mea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2GFgxC5Zmrk/USmHNlzRjAI/AAAAAAAAH6k/vgqUAfsmjQ4/s400/DSC09988.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The girls had a special dinner our with their daddy tonight at church. I was looking at the pictures to post on facebook and it just hit me... my "baby" girls are growing up! I always tell them "No matter how old you are, you'll always be my baby" and they just say "moooooom" but it's true. They will always be my babies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've jotted down a few fun things to remember about what they are saying right now at almost 7 and 4 years old. At times I have to stifle a laugh or be still my heart. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They both still mispronounce a few things including:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">pu-sgetti (spaghetti)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">han-atizer (hand sanitizer which is pretty smart)</div><div align="center">smudge (fudge - Neil and I LOVE this one)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YKGC9QBO3CE/USmLUCQ6lPI/AAAAAAAAH7Q/Ke2rVPL7ZTM/s1600/DSC09989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YKGC9QBO3CE/USmLUCQ6lPI/AAAAAAAAH7Q/Ke2rVPL7ZTM/s320/DSC09989.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center"><strong>Claire:</strong></div><div align="center">While driving to church and looking out the window:</div><div align="center">"We're in a museum - an art museum"</div><div align="center">"What do you mean?"</div><div align="center">"Well, God is an artist and He made everything around us so we are always in an art museum"</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">That little stinker went through my jewelry box without me and what did she find? Her tooth that had been taken by the&nbsp;"tooth fairy". Mind you, this is the tooth that the "tooth fairy" forgot to get the first time and then magically left a note and the coins while Claire was eating her breakfast... according to&nbsp;Claire, I think&nbsp;she wants to switch her tooth fairy out for a new one. She was wondering how this happened so I had to think quick and the story was that the tooth fairy must have dropped her tooth. And maybe she wants me to keep Claire's tooth to remember... we're still figuring out how we're going to handle this. </div><div align="center">But here is her CUTE letter all folded up:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-56G1JcNjqow/USmNDxXocOI/AAAAAAAAH7g/3dnfx4hUVx8/s1600/DSC09998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-56G1JcNjqow/USmNDxXocOI/AAAAAAAAH7g/3dnfx4hUVx8/s320/DSC09998.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KwZYmDIXwv8/USmNCkHSFoI/AAAAAAAAH7Y/DXQKblmfAf0/s1600/DSC00001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KwZYmDIXwv8/USmNCkHSFoI/AAAAAAAAH7Y/DXQKblmfAf0/s320/DSC00001.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center"><strong>&nbsp; </strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Eden:</strong></div><div align="center">Every week she asks when it will be Friday because she can't wait to go to 'nastics (gymnastics!) So sweet!</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Last weekend we had a family lunch date at Arby's. Eden ate an entire Arby's melt roast beef sandwich! We were amazed and after I told her she must be a growing girl she said:</div><div align="center">"Probably when I stand up, I'll be taller!"&nbsp; with the widest eyes and hand as tall as she could reach!</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">The girls have been looking through our wedding album and even asked to watch our video.</div><div align="center">&nbsp;So the other day Eden said:</div><div align="center">"Mom, I wanna marry Maverick"</div><div align="center">"Why?"</div><div align="center">"Because he's my best friend!"</div><div align="center">Good to know they've been listening when we talk about marrying your best friend =) </div><div align="center">Of course, we told her she has plenty of time for that.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">They grow up too fast!</div>Claire &amp; Edenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02028196751611915573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473946112044433095.post-34596122279253314312013-02-22T18:24:00.002-08:002013-02-22T18:36:41.344-08:00A week in pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As the days and weeks fly by, I love to look back at our pictures to remember and capture the everyday and special moments. This week was FULL of them so here is a week in pictures.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sharing some love on Thursday, Feb 14th</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IjJBYov4CvE/USgk9Wjiz9I/AAAAAAAAH5w/X8PMbgaLfMA/s1600/DSC00558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IjJBYov4CvE/USgk9Wjiz9I/AAAAAAAAH5w/X8PMbgaLfMA/s320/DSC00558.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mZ7x2A87AL8/USgk-SKoq5I/AAAAAAAAH54/gvqCB_FHiP0/s1600/DSC00551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mZ7x2A87AL8/USgk-SKoq5I/AAAAAAAAH54/gvqCB_FHiP0/s320/DSC00551.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">peek-a-boo is a favorite game we play throughout every day</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jw-FNY2TnG4/USgk2eDGRaI/AAAAAAAAH5k/_60CIG0gBO4/s1600/DSC00565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jw-FNY2TnG4/USgk2eDGRaI/AAAAAAAAH5k/_60CIG0gBO4/s320/DSC00565.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Friday, Feb. 15th - Girl Scout Cupcake Wars</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Claire and I had a great night together trying cupcakes and making crafts galore</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pjP5BF0sgWk/USgk2ZuSK_I/AAAAAAAAH5g/w5sl7m56CNo/s1600/DSC00578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pjP5BF0sgWk/USgk2ZuSK_I/AAAAAAAAH5g/w5sl7m56CNo/s320/DSC00578.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Saturday, Feb. 16th</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Family day - got Claire's seeds planted for her science project</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3SN_rsVcTKw/USgk1u_pckI/AAAAAAAAH5Y/wCu6D4aw8c4/s1600/DSC00587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3SN_rsVcTKw/USgk1u_pckI/AAAAAAAAH5Y/wCu6D4aw8c4/s320/DSC00587.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ev-xzQK9gQ/USgkqHlcqTI/AAAAAAAAH5Q/bPdb88zuzpQ/s1600/DSC00588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ev-xzQK9gQ/USgkqHlcqTI/AAAAAAAAH5Q/bPdb88zuzpQ/s320/DSC00588.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jFHB1wHV0aI/USgklreshFI/AAAAAAAAH5E/Aa29eJfJDnw/s1600/DSC00597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jFHB1wHV0aI/USgklreshFI/AAAAAAAAH5E/Aa29eJfJDnw/s320/DSC00597.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">spent time with Grandma who is loving some more holding time with Halif</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gIobRrVtaNE/USgklfd_lII/AAAAAAAAH5A/yXltSSiWsYw/s1600/DSC00606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gIobRrVtaNE/USgklfd_lII/AAAAAAAAH5A/yXltSSiWsYw/s320/DSC00606.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dinner with the Miller's</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9YxVdA7Qj6U/USgkgF9zMFI/AAAAAAAAH44/IVifCutUQa0/s1600/DSC00607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9YxVdA7Qj6U/USgkgF9zMFI/AAAAAAAAH44/IVifCutUQa0/s320/DSC00607.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sunday, Feb. 17th</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">fun visit with Mimi and Poppa &amp; dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kUnu9a8MSg4/USgkatlMCPI/AAAAAAAAH4w/b8HKlemPEUY/s1600/DSC00610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kUnu9a8MSg4/USgkatlMCPI/AAAAAAAAH4w/b8HKlemPEUY/s320/DSC00610.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Monday, Feb. 18th</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Trip to Austin for Halif's Graduation Day from his Helmet!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdtrHG_7z_I/USgkV2os_hI/AAAAAAAAH4o/FhO_h3zXXR8/s1600/DSC09927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdtrHG_7z_I/USgkV2os_hI/AAAAAAAAH4o/FhO_h3zXXR8/s320/DSC09927.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tuesday, Feb. 19th</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Claire's first performance at school - Texas songs</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c-k8UZTJZ3E/USgkUN_K8yI/AAAAAAAAH4g/-l2R-a085XE/s1600/DSC09939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c-k8UZTJZ3E/USgkUN_K8yI/AAAAAAAAH4g/-l2R-a085XE/s320/DSC09939.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_jwu0fJbmg0/USgkBWL4LMI/AAAAAAAAH4I/do0KSjFf3W0/s1600/DSC09940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_jwu0fJbmg0/USgkBWL4LMI/AAAAAAAAH4I/do0KSjFf3W0/s320/DSC09940.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1If6JszAaDQ/USgkLOeLRfI/AAAAAAAAH4Y/xnNiHdk98uo/s1600/DSC09946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" mea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1If6JszAaDQ/USgkLOeLRfI/AAAAAAAAH4Y/xnNiHdk98uo/s320/DSC09946.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HRTDVzQa6WQ/USgkF81DTCI/AAAAAAAAH4Q/K95hmOlY6Bs/s1600/DSC09954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" mea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HRTDVzQa6WQ/USgkF81DTCI/AAAAAAAAH4Q/K95hmOlY6Bs/s320/DSC09954.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wednesday, Feb. 20th</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finally got our artwork from Ethiopia framed and on our wall - amazing how something can bring so much back from our trip! I LOVE to see it and remember so much of our time there</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dXCcgAWOeQs/USgjx_PzJyI/AAAAAAAAH3w/cWjASilsguU/s1600/DSC09974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dXCcgAWOeQs/USgjx_PzJyI/AAAAAAAAH3w/cWjASilsguU/s320/DSC09974.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Thursday, Feb. 21st</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">A day with Halif - hanging out with each other and Rollo - one of Halif's favorites!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qk65xNpuqvg/USgj19zC0cI/AAAAAAAAH34/-8q1-rAjJow/s1600/DSC09965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qk65xNpuqvg/USgj19zC0cI/AAAAAAAAH34/-8q1-rAjJow/s320/DSC09965.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UcJEmri4s_0/USgj2b4P9uI/AAAAAAAAH4A/qQ3iFeLW85g/s1600/DSC09970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UcJEmri4s_0/USgj2b4P9uI/AAAAAAAAH4A/qQ3iFeLW85g/s320/DSC09970.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Friday, Feb. 22nd</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">OK - technically I guess this is more than a week but it's cool to see how much the seeds have grown! Each cup is being watered with a different water mixture (vinegar water, salt water, sugar water, pure water) All being done by Claire and she is loving watching what is happening. Her hypothesis was that the sugar water would grow best but today we see the pure water is getting the job done!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ewgSCF1GETg/USgjYw8hoWI/AAAAAAAAH3g/hWP_yJXuno8/s1600/DSC09978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ewgSCF1GETg/USgjYw8hoWI/AAAAAAAAH3g/hWP_yJXuno8/s320/DSC09978.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dz04YzGwlps/USgjtKeYQVI/AAAAAAAAH3o/aGzHGSToXqI/s1600/DSC09977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dz04YzGwlps/USgjtKeYQVI/AAAAAAAAH3o/aGzHGSToXqI/s320/DSC09977.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">Love seeing new life pop up!!﻿</div>Claire &amp; Edenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02028196751611915573noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473946112044433095.post-84233431686778713472013-02-17T20:45:00.000-08:002013-02-17T21:30:05.202-08:00WaitingWhen I was growing up, my friends used to make fun of me because I was always looking forward to the next thing... when we would be in the 8th grade, when we'd be in high school, when we'd get our driver's license... I was always waiting for what was next.<br /><br />Waiting...it's an interesting game. Always anticipating what you are longing for while trying to live in the present. I will be honest, I'm not the best at waiting but the Lord really worked on my heart as we stepped out in faith to start our journey to bringing Halif home.&nbsp;We waited by the mailbox for important documents and assigned appointments. We waited on others to finish our paperwork so we could finally&nbsp;get on&nbsp;the actual wait list. We then waited and waited...and waited 21 months to get our phone call to tell us who our son would be and let me tell you, that moment defined the cliche of "worth the wait"! And just as everyone said, the waiting got harder once we saw our son's face and&nbsp;waited to finally meet him. But wait!!! The HARDEST wait up to that point was by far the 8 weeks we waited to return to Ethiopia to bring him home. Once again, when you bring your sweet one home and you are finally reunited with your entire family, all the waiting becomes&nbsp;a distant memory and it's all worth the wait. (I promise I'm making a point...) And just as you thought the waiting&nbsp;was finally over, it's not.<br /><br />We are in the next waiting phase and while no one really told us about this waiting, it makes sense. This is the waiting period that every family has when bringing in a new member of the family...waiting for a new normal. And in this case, bringing in an adoptive child adds a little more dimension as you not only wait for your new normal but you are waiting for your child to come to the realization that you are their home and family - not just a caretaker who they might be separated from. I've heard some people say it took 8 months, others say a year and yet others even say 2-3 years but I'm sure it's just a different wait for every family. I bet it's more of a lifetime process just as it is in many relationships where you are building love and trust. This current waiting period has come along with some beautiful blessings while we work through some really tough days, weeks and months. He is starting to crawl to our legs and tug for us to pick him up. He gives us hugs and kisses and spontaneous cuddles on our chest. He brightens up as soon as he sees one of us come home. But we will continue to wait for our amazing son to truly begin to trust, love and become bonded to us. This song has been a huge encouragement to me through all of these waiting stages as I come to Him with expectations and waiting for HIM with my hands lifted high...His faithfulness in every waiting stage has strengthened me like I hadn't quite imagined it would. Love it when the Lord blesses me beyond my belief.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/em8EAHrW9fY" width="420"></iframe><br /><br />Claire &amp; Edenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02028196751611915573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473946112044433095.post-70843058742424808942013-02-10T19:41:00.002-08:002013-02-10T19:41:50.549-08:00A lot going on...SO much going on here lately so I'm just going to do a list with pics =) Learning how to do quick blogging so I don't get overwhelmed again and just not do it! Plus all the details are going in the actual scrapbooks and calendars!<br /><br />- Halif has officially grown out of his helmet and is done wearing it! It was about 2 weeks earlier than they predicted (Feb. 14th) but we weren't going to get another. Our final appt. in Austin is Feb. 18th. &nbsp;Of course my mommy eyes can tell that there is still a little mishape on his sweet noggin but it is SOOO much better! LOVE kissing my baby's head and not plastic =)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bOftvgXpRcU/URhlOwwVL_I/AAAAAAAAH1g/4512rTSka-c/s1600/DSC00444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bOftvgXpRcU/URhlOwwVL_I/AAAAAAAAH1g/4512rTSka-c/s320/DSC00444.JPG" uea="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">no more helmet!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KVkzr0JUeG4/URhjjNzzFrI/AAAAAAAAH0U/6z1tdLXULk8/s1600/halif+no+helmet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KVkzr0JUeG4/URhjjNzzFrI/AAAAAAAAH0U/6z1tdLXULk8/s320/halif+no+helmet.jpg" uea="true" width="240" /></a></div>- Claire is deep into delivering cookies after selling 311 boxes...of course she had some help from mom and dad but she did most of it either going door to door or calling people who told me they wanted to place an order. I'm SUPER proud of her hard work and persistance. Eden already can't wait to be a girl scout<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kx3BR7j-kEQ/URhjlNwo8oI/AAAAAAAAH0c/yOZIcxHixaI/s1600/girl+scout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kx3BR7j-kEQ/URhjlNwo8oI/AAAAAAAAH0c/yOZIcxHixaI/s320/girl+scout.jpg" uea="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />- Eden is LOVING her gymnastics and everyday asks me "when is it Friday?" Think we will be making her a calendar page on her eye level tomorrow so she can keep track! Last Friday morning she came into our room to wake us up already dressed in her leotard. She is doing so well trying new things that her coach asked if she could move to another class... we like to call her "Eager Eden" always wanting to go first and always wanting to do something new!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IpSCSWVhBMU/URhk_aSTcWI/AAAAAAAAH0s/w9ycjYb8zvs/s1600/DSC00371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IpSCSWVhBMU/URhk_aSTcWI/AAAAAAAAH0s/w9ycjYb8zvs/s320/DSC00371.JPG" uea="true" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EOh6ix_EycM/URhlE7b2xkI/AAAAAAAAH1Q/NTsgO9NkBZE/s1600/DSC00387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EOh6ix_EycM/URhlE7b2xkI/AAAAAAAAH1Q/NTsgO9NkBZE/s320/DSC00387.JPG" uea="true" width="320" /></a></div>- We had Halif's baby blessing on Feb. 7th and we were SO blessed by our church family. We only had one little piece left of cake to take home because so many were there and our piggy bank&nbsp;gift was overwhelming. My sister, Neil's sister and my mom were also able to come celebrate with us which meant so much!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y6Ep037ctqg/URhlNaKwRJI/AAAAAAAAH1Y/QF4mv6gAdjk/s1600/DSC00464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y6Ep037ctqg/URhlNaKwRJI/AAAAAAAAH1Y/QF4mv6gAdjk/s320/DSC00464.JPG" uea="true" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eyxbUEBZD2k/URhlO1CR-jI/AAAAAAAAH1k/2X-p5f1xmfo/s1600/DSC00467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eyxbUEBZD2k/URhlO1CR-jI/AAAAAAAAH1k/2X-p5f1xmfo/s320/DSC00467.JPG" uea="true" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-94zsS9LXM7w/URhlT0Ajy4I/AAAAAAAAH1w/jNlGwEsv4x8/s1600/DSC00472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-94zsS9LXM7w/URhlT0Ajy4I/AAAAAAAAH1w/jNlGwEsv4x8/s320/DSC00472.JPG" uea="true" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-04_9L2EIXC4/URhlX41scNI/AAAAAAAAH14/nK2ISManC_k/s1600/DSC00475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-04_9L2EIXC4/URhlX41scNI/AAAAAAAAH14/nK2ISManC_k/s320/DSC00475.JPG" uea="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />- We had our second post adoption home study on Thursday evening with our awesome social worker, Mary B. I just love her and her words of wisdom! She is such a special Christian woman, mom and adoption guru =) She was captivated by Halif and amazed at how advanced he is with his verbal and physical milestones. More importantly, she gave us a lot of encouragement about our bonding. She said we should continue to be selective in how much we go out, who holds him if anyone does, we should still be meeting all his needs (instead of others), we shouldn't be leaving him (but felt like our Tuesdays were ok) and that she sees more healthy attachment happening than not. I've been so concerned with how Halif has reached out to 3 strangers since we've been home - only one in the past 2 months - and his attachment to Neil being stronger than to me. She said he is still attached to me by all the things I described even if he does like to go to daddy when he gets home. Everything just reassured my heart and mind to keep pressing on and making decisions based on our son and not based on other people's feeling or comments. It was a wonderful visit! We will see her for the last time in August for our final post adoption home visit.<br /><br />- On Tuesday, Feb 5th we had someone else watch Halif for the very first time and I had the hardest time! It's been 4.5 months and he's never not had either Neil or I with him. I decided to start teaching some of my students at the middle school I travel to so my dad and Neil's dad are taking turns watching him for only about 3.5 hours on Tuesdays at our house. He is sleeping about half that time so it's actually less time than that =) My dad said it went well...Halif just stared at my dad when he came into our room to get him out of the pack n play after nap. I was concerned H would be really excited to see my dad so hearing that he was cautious made me so happy =) It took awhile to warm up to my dad but he never showed fear or cried at all...just observed my dad with those big, round eyes. When I came home, my dad said Halif showed more excitement than the whole time they had been together although he didn't want me to hold him because he was so busy playing with a new toy (a plastic box of all things!) All in all, I think it went well!<br /><br />And just for fun...Halif is a climber and soon to be walker at almost 11 months!! His new favorite place to climb? Into Eden's bed using her step stool grandpa built =) Eden thought it was great too!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oe5P9ASgzP8/URhmgyRiqVI/AAAAAAAAH2E/lOKJQSBOW6U/s1600/DSC00488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oe5P9ASgzP8/URhmgyRiqVI/AAAAAAAAH2E/lOKJQSBOW6U/s320/DSC00488.JPG" uea="true" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A4AsdXKvyNU/URhmp_xbHZI/AAAAAAAAH2M/KBzBxU4SYhQ/s1600/DSC00490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A4AsdXKvyNU/URhmp_xbHZI/AAAAAAAAH2M/KBzBxU4SYhQ/s320/DSC00490.JPG" uea="true" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5YwvDa21FFo/URhmq1VuQyI/AAAAAAAAH2U/Zn4LHC-t9kU/s1600/DSC00487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5YwvDa21FFo/URhmq1VuQyI/AAAAAAAAH2U/Zn4LHC-t9kU/s320/DSC00487.JPG" uea="true" width="320" /></a></div>Claire &amp; Edenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02028196751611915573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473946112044433095.post-65764859748970158822013-02-06T12:41:00.000-08:002013-02-06T12:41:06.513-08:00Eden's 4 years old!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Our sweet, spunky, funny girl Eden turn 4 back on November 25th! She decided she wanted a butterfly birthday with cake and a pinata. To make it a classic we also had pin the tail on the donkey! We had it at our neighborhood park with friends from her school and church. It was such a special time to celebrate Eden and make it a special day for her! We love you Eden!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EbyfJZUsKWY/UQ8r_HJBB4I/AAAAAAAAHzs/OmcCwhvvfWA/s1600/DSC09410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EbyfJZUsKWY/UQ8r_HJBB4I/AAAAAAAAHzs/OmcCwhvvfWA/s320/DSC09410.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WrllqIVIJ9Y/UQ8n-10tGwI/AAAAAAAAHyM/na1tUC4bgVg/s1600/DSC09445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WrllqIVIJ9Y/UQ8n-10tGwI/AAAAAAAAHyM/na1tUC4bgVg/s320/DSC09445.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yKl8-E2sF0A/UQ8nFyik9rI/AAAAAAAAHxA/PSDR1p7EfMw/s1600/DSC09462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yKl8-E2sF0A/UQ8nFyik9rI/AAAAAAAAHxA/PSDR1p7EfMw/s320/DSC09462.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Halif &amp; Everett chilling!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-86SsUxCBq_o/UQ8nUKz4JLI/AAAAAAAAHxQ/xD1zHyixVBI/s1600/DSC09422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-86SsUxCBq_o/UQ8nUKz4JLI/AAAAAAAAHxQ/xD1zHyixVBI/s320/DSC09422.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QbYfNyZWTx0/UQ8nT0T1jyI/AAAAAAAAHxU/OG-vVXll_nk/s1600/DSC09417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QbYfNyZWTx0/UQ8nT0T1jyI/AAAAAAAAHxU/OG-vVXll_nk/s320/DSC09417.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Standing in line for the pinata</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R7S3HsS7tzY/UQ8nSJwZ1aI/AAAAAAAAHxI/nMnbjIWiZ1Y/s1600/DSC09421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R7S3HsS7tzY/UQ8nSJwZ1aI/AAAAAAAAHxI/nMnbjIWiZ1Y/s320/DSC09421.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AvDkHA-zKp4/UQ8nkq1sz6I/AAAAAAAAHxg/517ylI6U2QA/s1600/DSC09435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AvDkHA-zKp4/UQ8nkq1sz6I/AAAAAAAAHxg/517ylI6U2QA/s320/DSC09435.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4HMiy_mv_dA/UQ8npZx4bvI/AAAAAAAAHxo/vtaIE0R_wQI/s1600/DSC09423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4HMiy_mv_dA/UQ8npZx4bvI/AAAAAAAAHxo/vtaIE0R_wQI/s320/DSC09423.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w-FCEczoEaI/UQ8nsExNo-I/AAAAAAAAHxw/MZZ3VVKqAw0/s1600/DSC09428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w-FCEczoEaI/UQ8nsExNo-I/AAAAAAAAHxw/MZZ3VVKqAw0/s320/DSC09428.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XTcMlah80Yc/UQ8nwMhCQ-I/AAAAAAAAHx8/Fh_3dVJqioA/s1600/DSC09444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XTcMlah80Yc/UQ8nwMhCQ-I/AAAAAAAAHx8/Fh_3dVJqioA/s320/DSC09444.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aaHLkNFlF7A/UQ8q5kmv7YI/AAAAAAAAHzM/c6tP4eKj7EQ/s1600/DSC09393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aaHLkNFlF7A/UQ8q5kmv7YI/AAAAAAAAHzM/c6tP4eKj7EQ/s320/DSC09393.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-47qy6g5YNwA/UQ8q73iFX2I/AAAAAAAAHzU/dUcAqtpohEU/s1600/DSC09411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-47qy6g5YNwA/UQ8q73iFX2I/AAAAAAAAHzU/dUcAqtpohEU/s320/DSC09411.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XNSEfMGJHvw/UQ8q-6vvZYI/AAAAAAAAHzc/Y9UNx8y2pzU/s1600/DSC09412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XNSEfMGJHvw/UQ8q-6vvZYI/AAAAAAAAHzc/Y9UNx8y2pzU/s320/DSC09412.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1MQ6s3hlbY/UQ8rPdPbtpI/AAAAAAAAHzk/5oDCx07DqAc/s1600/DSC09466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1MQ6s3hlbY/UQ8rPdPbtpI/AAAAAAAAHzk/5oDCx07DqAc/s320/DSC09466.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2BuUuqIflpQ/UQ8oAXoPNQI/AAAAAAAAHyU/lmGkxQAoP3g/s1600/DSC09451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2BuUuqIflpQ/UQ8oAXoPNQI/AAAAAAAAHyU/lmGkxQAoP3g/s320/DSC09451.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We had a family dinner at my parents that evening and finally captured a picture of the 3 of us!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-keA4tuLO9Pk/UQ8oKFsPqwI/AAAAAAAAHyk/RS3ImIudfVw/s1600/DSC09481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-keA4tuLO9Pk/UQ8oKFsPqwI/AAAAAAAAHyk/RS3ImIudfVw/s320/DSC09481.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><img height="72" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WrllqIVIJ9Y/UQ8n-10tGwI/AAAAAAAAHyM/na1tUC4bgVg/s320/DSC09445.JPG" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 215px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 156px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" />Claire &amp; Edenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02028196751611915573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473946112044433095.post-18639738574394450522013-02-02T19:03:00.001-08:002013-02-02T19:03:38.842-08:00going back<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J9hjTjzebrU/UQ3PaRrb0oI/AAAAAAAAHvg/f7nhX89lc4g/s1600/DSC00088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J9hjTjzebrU/UQ3PaRrb0oI/AAAAAAAAHvg/f7nhX89lc4g/s320/DSC00088.JPG" width="320" /></a>Let's lighten it up here and go back to Christmas =) I missed Thanksgiving, Eden's birthday &amp; Christmas so I'd like to post at least a little on each especially since they are all the first holidays we were a family of 5. Halif's first holidays home! (no worries&nbsp;- I'm scrapbooking his first year home so we really&nbsp;won't&nbsp;be missing anything)&nbsp;We had our traditional time with Neil's family on Christmas Eve and then we went to our church's Christmas Eve service. Christmas day it was just our 5 and then the girls and I drove my parents, my brother Billy and his girlfriend Diane to Austin to visit Mike, Heather &amp; Pierce. We are LOVING our new van! Neil and Halif stayed back in SA which was a hard decision but I'm SO glad we did because it would've been very overwhelming for him at that time. I started feeling under the weather Christmas Eve and I ended up getting very sick for about a week...not the way I wanted to spend the holiday! Eden also got pneumonia. SO thankful that Neil was home and is so wonderful to take care of all the kids practically by himself. He woke up with Halif every.single.time. for 6 nights in a row and get this? He never once complained or threw out a sarcastic remark. I'm one blessed woman! </div><br /><br />Here are some pics from our amazing Christmas:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ehGRoGHpamo/UQ3OVrGpVtI/AAAAAAAAHto/21QX1MhE1rw/s1600/DSC00008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ehGRoGHpamo/UQ3OVrGpVtI/AAAAAAAAHto/21QX1MhE1rw/s320/DSC00008.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zStkcoCLTVs/UQ3Oa8GIu5I/AAAAAAAAHtw/v_zktOhhrFw/s1600/DSC00014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zStkcoCLTVs/UQ3Oa8GIu5I/AAAAAAAAHtw/v_zktOhhrFw/s320/DSC00014.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NERLXc4tctM/UQ3OeUH1RrI/AAAAAAAAHt4/c8uDZeFGULQ/s1600/DSC00016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NERLXc4tctM/UQ3OeUH1RrI/AAAAAAAAHt4/c8uDZeFGULQ/s320/DSC00016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_hv9VtiZF6M/UQ3OlYJg9kI/AAAAAAAAHuA/CJP5odL6Ujs/s1600/DSC00017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_hv9VtiZF6M/UQ3OlYJg9kI/AAAAAAAAHuA/CJP5odL6Ujs/s320/DSC00017.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p89tkfcWKnM/UQ3OqcTRkPI/AAAAAAAAHuI/S4_B08aBKqw/s1600/DSC00022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p89tkfcWKnM/UQ3OqcTRkPI/AAAAAAAAHuI/S4_B08aBKqw/s320/DSC00022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-clRIjF8guog/UQ3Oqwq6JqI/AAAAAAAAHuM/j7Ux0zVxdJc/s1600/DSC00026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-clRIjF8guog/UQ3Oqwq6JqI/AAAAAAAAHuM/j7Ux0zVxdJc/s320/DSC00026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qOjymZpX8vY/UQ3OyzBbGKI/AAAAAAAAHuY/KcKrtYTNshY/s1600/DSC00027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qOjymZpX8vY/UQ3OyzBbGKI/AAAAAAAAHuY/KcKrtYTNshY/s320/DSC00027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zfkThtMas-I/UQ3O-b5t0TI/AAAAAAAAHug/224U7ciWCAA/s1600/DSC00045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zfkThtMas-I/UQ3O-b5t0TI/AAAAAAAAHug/224U7ciWCAA/s320/DSC00045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lt-JWMD9nCo/UQ3O_hIFb6I/AAAAAAAAHuo/R_erTOkMMLY/s1600/DSC00058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lt-JWMD9nCo/UQ3O_hIFb6I/AAAAAAAAHuo/R_erTOkMMLY/s320/DSC00058.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TCRGZnK8qTQ/UQ3PArAN3cI/AAAAAAAAHuw/jB5Gnd_4HIU/s1600/DSC00032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TCRGZnK8qTQ/UQ3PArAN3cI/AAAAAAAAHuw/jB5Gnd_4HIU/s320/DSC00032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uU5-FSotg8w/UQ3PI-iD38I/AAAAAAAAHu4/hLe7iw70i30/s1600/DSC00072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uU5-FSotg8w/UQ3PI-iD38I/AAAAAAAAHu4/hLe7iw70i30/s320/DSC00072.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4oNzaiarXmc/UQ3PKqkYLeI/AAAAAAAAHvA/FVGVqFzjFW0/s1600/DSC00062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4oNzaiarXmc/UQ3PKqkYLeI/AAAAAAAAHvA/FVGVqFzjFW0/s320/DSC00062.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XGaPc-hDsn0/UQ3PVDq5C6I/AAAAAAAAHvI/gxrL2fRfYms/s1600/DSC00084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XGaPc-hDsn0/UQ3PVDq5C6I/AAAAAAAAHvI/gxrL2fRfYms/s320/DSC00084.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OrccUcMzWTQ/UQ3PVJjqKwI/AAAAAAAAHvM/YFApZq3-1b0/s1600/DSC00083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OrccUcMzWTQ/UQ3PVJjqKwI/AAAAAAAAHvM/YFApZq3-1b0/s320/DSC00083.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D763rW0W-Ak/UQ3PVeiLZPI/AAAAAAAAHvQ/8f7fqNibnjc/s1600/DSC00081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D763rW0W-Ak/UQ3PVeiLZPI/AAAAAAAAHvQ/8f7fqNibnjc/s320/DSC00081.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0y8dCNsz9n8/UQ3RqUqaC-I/AAAAAAAAHvo/Q_6rVXFGTfU/s1600/DSC00093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0y8dCNsz9n8/UQ3RqUqaC-I/AAAAAAAAHvo/Q_6rVXFGTfU/s320/DSC00093.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YzyFxGLQFxg/UQ3Rz5aUb_I/AAAAAAAAHvw/WyvQz-Aktp4/s1600/DSC00097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YzyFxGLQFxg/UQ3Rz5aUb_I/AAAAAAAAHvw/WyvQz-Aktp4/s320/DSC00097.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B1ckq6S1hgg/UQ3Rz1_AvUI/AAAAAAAAHv0/P4PxbWks-ws/s1600/DSC00095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B1ckq6S1hgg/UQ3Rz1_AvUI/AAAAAAAAHv0/P4PxbWks-ws/s320/DSC00095.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N8YrIyGxRfg/UQ3R3F2gs1I/AAAAAAAAHwA/oVhPhHHXvYI/s1600/DSC00098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N8YrIyGxRfg/UQ3R3F2gs1I/AAAAAAAAHwA/oVhPhHHXvYI/s320/DSC00098.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kfeliSaBFhA/UQ3R_ljW2OI/AAAAAAAAHwI/CKbtw9htQhg/s1600/DSC00099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kfeliSaBFhA/UQ3R_ljW2OI/AAAAAAAAHwI/CKbtw9htQhg/s320/DSC00099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-au5P17qail0/UQ3SBylQLEI/AAAAAAAAHwQ/k5yajswOWxI/s1600/DSC00101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-au5P17qail0/UQ3SBylQLEI/AAAAAAAAHwQ/k5yajswOWxI/s320/DSC00101.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2XxNbnlPak8/UQ3SCDDAnrI/AAAAAAAAHwU/0MLS8EPOLYc/s1600/DSC00114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2XxNbnlPak8/UQ3SCDDAnrI/AAAAAAAAHwU/0MLS8EPOLYc/s320/DSC00114.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Claire &amp; Edenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02028196751611915573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473946112044433095.post-3265560829649508302013-01-28T20:20:00.000-08:002013-01-29T07:50:24.760-08:00TouchIt's amazing to experience the power of touch. What it can do to you. What it can communicate. How it can heal. I think about the simple little touch of Neil's foot on mine when we're drifting off to sleep. Or when Claire or Eden hold my hand on their own accord. I feel so loved. I'll never forget when I first touched Eden on her last day in the NICU as I got her ready to finally come home. I had held her for about a minute immediately after she was born but then it would be 8 days until I touched her again because we always had to be gloved and robed. To finally touch my baby girl, skin on skin, was magnetic. I experienced it again when I first touched Halif after longing, praying and seeing his sweet face in photographs.&nbsp;To finally&nbsp;touch him again after 8 weeks of being separated was magical. <br /><br />I didn't know that I would experience the power of touch today. Let me explain... this past weekend we were noticing that Halif's helmet was leaning almost over his eye and just wasn't fitting like it had been. It moved around a lot and didn't lineup when it was fastened. So I called the Cranial Technologies office today and after talking to them, they determined that he might be growing out of his helmet. She didn't want Halif to wear an ill fitted helmet so she told me to take it off until his OT can look at it at our Thursday appt. So, I took it off. It's been 3 full months that he has worn his helmet for 23 hours a day and the hour break is usually busy dinner, bath and getting ready for bed time. As silly as it sounds, today I got to enjoy my sweet boy's head... I got to kiss his forehead when I was trying to get him to sleep, I got to stroke the back of his head while I carried him in the ergo, I got to feel his head in the crook of my arm while I rocked him, I felt his head on my chest when he would lean on me&nbsp;and each time, I was so grateful. So grateful to finally TOUCH my baby's head and it was&nbsp;quite honestly&nbsp;overwhelming. So grateful for something so simple. Something we all take for granted. I'm not sure if we are completely done with his helmet and we will find out more Thursday. But I do know that I felt just a tad bit more&nbsp;connected to Halif today and pray I don't ever take the simplest blessings for granted.<br /><br />My emotions were heightened today as a&nbsp;young family at church said goodbye to their sweet baby girl, Atlee Grace, after her 6 months in the NICU. I was once again reminded of how blessed we are with each moment of being in each other's presence physically able to touch and the blessing of how these little one's touch our hearts. Please pray&nbsp;for the Boone family with me for the days, weeks and months to come. And go love, kiss and touch your little ones.Claire &amp; Edenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02028196751611915573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473946112044433095.post-68947484726794505712013-01-22T19:36:00.000-08:002013-01-25T19:40:15.336-08:004 months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JjUAfEgGUbk/UQNCpXV_GiI/AAAAAAAAHm4/8_e3arofsBI/s1600/DSC00357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JjUAfEgGUbk/UQNCpXV_GiI/AAAAAAAAHm4/8_e3arofsBI/s320/DSC00357.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Yes...it's been awhile and I've been reminded by a handful of friends lately that I've abandoned our blog. Not abandoned but it's not been something on the high priority list as we've been continuing to transition to a family of 5. In all honesty, I just don't know how to find the energy or time to blog especially when I can randomly just put a pic and small blip on facebook in 20 seconds...so much easier for me and I know people will actually read it =)&nbsp;And with still being a bit overwhelmed and processing everything, I at times don't even know what to say.&nbsp;I'd be lying if I told you the past 3 months I've been "missing" have been easy and although challenging, we continue to be blessed and the Lord has orchestrated such amazing progress in adjusting and bonding! I do feel like I'm getting more in a groove and can now see a little more clearly in retrospect.<br /><br />4 months...hard to believe 4 months ago today we arrived back in San Antonio with Halif and were reunited with the girls! We have all grown, literally and spiritually, by leaps and bounds. Halif is no longer the tiny, frail, fearful&nbsp;6 month old we brought home but a 10 month old that recently was called "chunky" by a stranger - YEAH!! My baby boy has dimples on his knuckles, chunk on his thighs, a little ring around his wrist and the sweetest cheeks around! At his 9 month appt. he was 17 lbs. 1 oz. which put him in the 11%. He is probably up to about 18 lbs now and as healthy as can be. His development is right on if not ahead and he is VERY verbal - talking constantly and not just babble but real words - hi, bye-bye, dada, mama, uh-oh, ba-ba for bottle, poo-poo and is signing "all done". He understands so much too - responds to no by stopping (most the time), dances when we say the word, follows simple direction like "get the ball" or "give it to mama", etc. They are just sponges at this age. When we got our referral back in June we were told that they didn't know what his developmental delays would be because of his malnutrition and God has just healed and grown this sweet boy up to be as healthy as possible. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RRoFuHq8ZhE/UQNFPGueyjI/AAAAAAAAHnY/W1UxVpO6Xhs/s1600/DSC00331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RRoFuHq8ZhE/UQNFPGueyjI/AAAAAAAAHnY/W1UxVpO6Xhs/s320/DSC00331.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Now for his heart....there has been a lot of love and adjustment going on in this house. Our cocooning has overall proven to be fruitful - Halif is very attached to Neil right now which is a huge blessing! If he can truly attach to one of us, the other will follow...that would be me =)&nbsp; Sometimes it's hard when he grabs onto Neil's shirt and fusses when I take him or Neil gives him to me but I know that this happens with a lot of kids bio and adopted. I know it in my head but sometimes my heart just isn't there so I won't lie...it's a little hurtful and I can't and really don't take is personally. I know we just need more time. People say "Oh he came to you so young he won't have any grieving/adjustment or bonding issues" and while he might not have as many being younger, he does and will at different stages of his life. Although he is 10 months old we have to keep his "at home" age in mind for bonding which is 4 months. And if you really think about it, there is SO much bonding and connection that happens to a mother and baby while she is pregnant so we not only weren't there for the 6 months he was in Ethiopia but the 9 months he was in utero - that's 15-16 months time we are catching up on! There has been a lot of progress made but we still have a long way to go.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bsturh9Ltms/UQNIYv-4l-I/AAAAAAAAHn4/bQBpA-O_D3U/s1600/DSC00286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bsturh9Ltms/UQNIYv-4l-I/AAAAAAAAHn4/bQBpA-O_D3U/s320/DSC00286.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><br />&nbsp;The most challenging part of the past 4 months has been Eden... my sweet, strong, stubborn, funny, passionate, cuddle-bug, 4 year old. Wow - this has ROCKED her world and we have been on our knees asking the Lord to guide us through this. There was a period of 6 weeks where she'd bring me to tears almost every.single.day. because she was going to get her attention one way or another. She was used to being the baby and she was now the big sister. She was now sharing me during the day and we couldn't just go and do what we wanted all the time. While searching for scripture to pray over her for a spirit of love, self-control, patience, obedience, a funny thing happened...the Lord led me to those scriptures that very clearly was for ME. I was not leaning on the Lord and His word to fill me up to display these attributes I wanted to see in her. Conviction? yes!! I have learned that Eden will control the whole house if I let her. And my response is what determines what will happen. Me staying calm, praying that "in your anger, do not sin", forgiving just as HE forgave shows Eden what I pray to see in her. The last 3 weeks have been so much better and I'm thankful that just as in any challenge, the Lord has shown me how I was blessed and what I learned. I pray I can continue and show all of my kids how much I love them each as individual, unique, special blessings to me! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yxypB3KymcU/UQNIzEw4GRI/AAAAAAAAHoA/zV37SKQuIsE/s1600/DSC00268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yxypB3KymcU/UQNIzEw4GRI/AAAAAAAAHoA/zV37SKQuIsE/s320/DSC00268.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>OK so I could write a book about the last 4 months but I'll stop there =)<br /><br />Here are a few things I'd like to jot down:<br />- Halif loves shoes or I should say is OBSESSED with shoes, loves Rollo the cat, wants anything with buttons, loves music of any kind but especially the Fresh Beat Band<br />- Eden started gymnastics in January and is having a blast; she also has pneumonia over the Christmas break<br />- Claire lost her first and second tooth, broke her first bone (collarbone), had pneumonia, strep and a stomach bug...all in two weeks time<br />- Neil and I celebrated our 10 year dating anniversary at Jim's...with Halif in tow =)<br />- I was really sick during Christmas break and was so thankful for Neil. He took care of all three kids like a rockstar and I think this is when Halif got so attached to Neil<br />- Halif is sleeping better these days...he goes to sleep right after eating which is still about 3-4 hours. We are still exhausted but it's getting better.<br />- Eden can't get enough of school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She asks to go everyday and poor girl has one more year to wait before that happens. <br />- Claire has started Girl Scouts and just today, Ballet. She is growing up so fast and so motivated to do her very best in all she does. She sold 286 boxes of cookies with very little help from mom and dad. She is also really loving reading and science! She wants a science experiment birthday party.<br />- Halif gets his helmet off Feb 14th and it has done an incredible job rounding out his sweet little head. He got it on Oct. 25th and we will have to get used to seeing him without it when he's been wearing it 23 hrs. a day <br /><br />And here are a few more pics:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7RmtNfwbtKU/UQNNOIUxm1I/AAAAAAAAHog/n7lsXAcwSlk/s1600/DSC00164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7RmtNfwbtKU/UQNNOIUxm1I/AAAAAAAAHog/n7lsXAcwSlk/s320/DSC00164.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1WFXmHDxUTI/UQNNPaBr4qI/AAAAAAAAHoo/nEbG6UqyAwU/s1600/DSC00178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1WFXmHDxUTI/UQNNPaBr4qI/AAAAAAAAHoo/nEbG6UqyAwU/s320/DSC00178.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cbN9ZSxm-CE/UQNNSeovXgI/AAAAAAAAHow/GJsA9VRwmL4/s1600/DSC00196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cbN9ZSxm-CE/UQNNSeovXgI/AAAAAAAAHow/GJsA9VRwmL4/s320/DSC00196.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MOcjMI15pXs/UQNNTAXB1yI/AAAAAAAAHpA/g6LsS0xzK1c/s1600/DSC00214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MOcjMI15pXs/UQNNTAXB1yI/AAAAAAAAHpA/g6LsS0xzK1c/s320/DSC00214.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CnZjpl0xoBY/UQNNWRNMFvI/AAAAAAAAHpI/qgeSWc7neKo/s1600/DSC00246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CnZjpl0xoBY/UQNNWRNMFvI/AAAAAAAAHpI/qgeSWc7neKo/s320/DSC00246.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-du4AVgqIQtw/UQNNYsS4AeI/AAAAAAAAHpY/AZfQ48kaR-4/s1600/DSC00253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-du4AVgqIQtw/UQNNYsS4AeI/AAAAAAAAHpY/AZfQ48kaR-4/s320/DSC00253.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q30YmY2Vzrg/UQNNZHKWoeI/AAAAAAAAHpg/HrSPX2qpmM8/s1600/DSC00279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q30YmY2Vzrg/UQNNZHKWoeI/AAAAAAAAHpg/HrSPX2qpmM8/s320/DSC00279.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UsPChqxnxAE/UQNNc9DkvbI/AAAAAAAAHpo/g6Y8aVWjK9E/s1600/DSC00387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UsPChqxnxAE/UQNNc9DkvbI/AAAAAAAAHpo/g6Y8aVWjK9E/s320/DSC00387.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IE71g-idLyg/UQNNdAALBdI/AAAAAAAAHpw/GXfkCHjrCiE/s1600/DSC00350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IE71g-idLyg/UQNNdAALBdI/AAAAAAAAHpw/GXfkCHjrCiE/s320/DSC00350.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KUfcolQKx0k/UQNN_bJG-gI/AAAAAAAAHqI/eLWSBjtAGc0/s1600/DSC00251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KUfcolQKx0k/UQNN_bJG-gI/AAAAAAAAHqI/eLWSBjtAGc0/s320/DSC00251.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-92GGzDE_HgQ/UQNNSrqJLpI/AAAAAAAAHo0/aZeV3wUU1I0/s1600/DSC00187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-92GGzDE_HgQ/UQNNSrqJLpI/AAAAAAAAHo0/aZeV3wUU1I0/s320/DSC00187.JPG" width="240" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W71mY1l8Wdg/UQNOQAzDl0I/AAAAAAAAHqQ/VAR48OU6sWw/s1600/DSC00404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W71mY1l8Wdg/UQNOQAzDl0I/AAAAAAAAHqQ/VAR48OU6sWw/s320/DSC00404.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CaN3NRaKOp8/UQNNf2FreFI/AAAAAAAAHqA/_IyieOKRLdc/s1600/DSC00402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CaN3NRaKOp8/UQNNf2FreFI/AAAAAAAAHqA/_IyieOKRLdc/s320/DSC00402.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br />Claire &amp; Edenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02028196751611915573noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473946112044433095.post-71960821753656932712012-10-22T20:49:00.000-07:002012-10-22T20:49:01.881-07:00One Month Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Can it really be one month already? While the past month has flown by, it's been one of big transitions, lots of laughs, sleepless nights and honestly, pure joy. Not saying it's all be easy but it's what we've been waiting for all this time. God has blessed us tremendously...almost still surreal to have Halif home. Can't imagine our family without this little guy with his bright eyes and infectious smile.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here he is on his one month home. Hard to believe how much he has learned and grown in such a short amount of time! It's like watching a baby grow at lightning speed!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7kZa427wht4/UIX72c4hG7I/AAAAAAAAHk8/Ejy7LfEFw9Y/s1600/IMG_20121022_125355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7kZa427wht4/UIX72c4hG7I/AAAAAAAAHk8/Ejy7LfEFw9Y/s320/IMG_20121022_125355.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>When we picked him up from Hannah's Hope he could barely hold himself up with his trunk but had gotten better with holding his head. This is what this little growing boy has learned this month at 7 months 9 days:<br /><br />-Roll over ALL over the place and scoot around in a circle (really wanting to crawl!)<br />-Sit up with no assistance<br />-turn pages in his books<br />-clap his hands<br />-Say "da-da" and "ma-ma" which astounds me - he is SUPER verbal!<br />-eat oatmeal and today he started avocado<br />-wave bye-bye (just started this week!)<br />-stand up while we hold his hands (was far from bearing weight&nbsp;on his legs a month ago)&nbsp;- he LOVES to stand on my lap and bounce up and down<br />-use his thumb and index finger to pick things up<br />-Hmmmm.... I feel like I'm forgetting something....<br /><br />Can you believe that?! I thought with his weight and malnourishment he would for sure be behind developmentally but so far we are seeing him where he needs to be. Such a praise!<br /><br />So because it's been so long and because a few people really want to know the details, I'll give them to you!<br /><br /><strong>Eating:</strong><br />He eats 4 oz. formula every 3 hours and yes... around the clock so we are up at night a lot. It's a season I know and now that he's catching up with his weight, I pray he will start sleeping longer. The bottle is his comfort so we will not be keeping it from him at all =) He did have 9 whole days of strictly breastmilk from my amazing childhood friend, Crystal, who pumped for us! Sadly, it was gone quickly. He also LOVES his oatmeal (I think it has to do more with eating with a spoon) and took avocado today like a champ! We will introduce new food every 3 days.<br /><br /><strong>Sleeping:</strong><br />His routine is to go down for 30-45 min nap 2 hours after waking. Then he goes back down 3 hours later for 30-45 minutes before stirring ...so I strap him in the ergo and get 40-45 more minutes for picking up Claire.Don't know what I'd do without the ergo (thank you Melynda!!)&nbsp;He's in bed about 7-7:30ish. Gets up every 3 hours to eat and usually goes down right away but not always =). About every other night the past 2 weeks he's done this interesting thing in the middle of the night...he eats and then for about&nbsp;45 minutes to an hour he just stares at me. He doesn't move, doesn't cry but just stares until he finally falls back asleep (not sleeping with his eyes open!). Still trying to figure this out and see if it holds significance that I should address. <br /><br /><strong>Diapering:</strong><br />Thanks to amazing friends and especially my dear childhood friend Heather, we are using Kawaii reusable diapers and LOVING them! I still have to get Neil to master the snaps but overall we are happy with them - saving mola, good for environment and SUPER cute!<br /><br /><strong>Cocooning:</strong><br />Yes, people think we're a little crazy with our cocooning but if you really think about it, it makes sense and we can see how it's working. We will be slowly getting out and reading his reactions so hang in there with us!! I know it's hard for people who have been waiting for him too but I promise that you will get to love all over him for the rest of his sweet life! Our going out has extended to dr. appointments and me picking up the girls. We took him to Neil's parents for the first time Sat. for the LSU/ATM game and he did well. We also took him to Claire's parent conference and he did well there too! I can tell when it's been too much stimulation for him or he is nervous, he doesn't give me eye contact and kind of shuts down with his sleeping and eating. The days of dr. appts are always interesting. 2.5 weeks ago he stretched out to go to&nbsp;my friend, a.k.a. a stranger to him, and it broke my heart to see him so comfortable to do that. It also confirmed we&nbsp;are doing the right thing. This past week we saw some great bonding as he found comfort in us after some traumatic dr. appts. It was so wonderful to be the one he stopped crying for!<br /><br />Some have asked "well you can't do this forever... he has to get used to getting out and being around others. What happens when you can't meet his needs right away?" and yes! This is true. But we are building a trust between us right now that will equip him well when we do start going out and when he might have to wait a little longer to be consoled or have a need met. We are strengthening&nbsp;and even recreating&nbsp;this cycle that you and I take for granted.... cry/fuss = need met = love and trust... when that cycle has been broken it takes a lot to rebuild trust!&nbsp; We will probably be branching out this week but when we go to church we might come in late and leave early at first, I'll go to HEB at 9 am and not 5 pm, we'll do one on one gatherings vs. a crazy amount of kids playing inside the house... more than anything we will be letting Halif take the lead to let us know what HE can handle. Creating this trust, bond and relationship is essential to how he will relate to others as a young man and even adult. So again, hang in there with us, show us grace&nbsp;and even if you think we are being crazy or over protective, try to open you mind and heart to what you would do if you were bringing a new child into your home who had already been through so much!<br /><br /><strong>Stats:</strong><br />At our first appointment Halif was:<br />13 lbs even - not on charts<br />25.3 inches - 2%<br />44.5 cm head - 73%<br /><br />and 3 weeks later he was:<br />14 lbs 9 oz. - 2%<br />26.5 inches - 15%<br />44.5 cm head - 61%<br /><br />He is GROWING! Dr. Gulde was very impressed with just how much and didn't see why we would need to go back till his 9 mo check up in mid-December!<br /><br /><strong>Helmet or Cranial Banding:</strong><br />This might need it's own post because this has been an amazing testimony to God's continued provision to us! We went to Austin to get him measured and photographed at Cranial Technologies and will be getting it this Thursday. He will wear the helmet for 23 hours and for what they estimate as 3-4 months. I'll take him in weekly for appts. here in town. It will be another big transition for us and for him especially with sleeping so please pray for us!<br /><br />So as you can tell, it's going really well...better than we expected! We definitely are the typical newborn parents... eating our dinner cold, eating at 8 pm after kids are in bed, spit up all over our shirts, not showering for longer than I'd like to admit, falling asleep before 10 p.m....and we love it. We might not like it all the time but we LOVE it =) And I know these days are fleeting.&nbsp;Being a family of 5 has been good. Eden is having the hardest time with the transition and today was by far the hardest day since Halif came home. Let's just say there were lots of tears (both of us including Halif being more fussy), lots of time outs and I'm drinking a glass of wine from a bottle that has been in our fridge unopened since May.<br /><br />So there you go!! I want to go back a do a post from our second trip and our homecoming so hope to do that soon! Blogging has taken a back seat with the evenings being so short and the computer being in the same room as our little guy. I'm also working on a lot for The Chosen, our Church music ministry and Orphan Sunday coming up on the 4th.&nbsp;I've been posting more on facebook and especially pictures but I'll leave you with a few of my favorite:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lIgZR50-UbU/UIYSBFhzMOI/AAAAAAAAHlg/UGz9pPIWcxQ/s1600/DSC08982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lIgZR50-UbU/UIYSBFhzMOI/AAAAAAAAHlg/UGz9pPIWcxQ/s320/DSC08982.JPG" width="285" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R4cEntRcm0g/UIYSNCs4bFI/AAAAAAAAHlo/50fJ12YMSw0/s1600/DSC08926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R4cEntRcm0g/UIYSNCs4bFI/AAAAAAAAHlo/50fJ12YMSw0/s320/DSC08926.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qhGFJeqK6Zk/UIYSUQSuX4I/AAAAAAAAHlw/sUb1sffjsCA/s1600/DSC08888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qhGFJeqK6Zk/UIYSUQSuX4I/AAAAAAAAHlw/sUb1sffjsCA/s320/DSC08888.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hfSssm6Tmmg/UIYSnCyeL5I/AAAAAAAAHl4/MwAp0OFtMMw/s1600/DSC08828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hfSssm6Tmmg/UIYSnCyeL5I/AAAAAAAAHl4/MwAp0OFtMMw/s320/DSC08828.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-niIEfFTmtug/UIYSrzlya6I/AAAAAAAAHmA/EIrOemvuZB8/s1600/DSC08810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-niIEfFTmtug/UIYSrzlya6I/AAAAAAAAHmA/EIrOemvuZB8/s320/DSC08810.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3iktj8Z3Ivg/UIYSwvBMuUI/AAAAAAAAHmI/9Gd2ohjuAx8/s1600/DSC08761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3iktj8Z3Ivg/UIYSwvBMuUI/AAAAAAAAHmI/9Gd2ohjuAx8/s320/DSC08761.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OkoSoUr-dlE/UIYS0uyYUwI/AAAAAAAAHmQ/DpNdTNjnlT8/s1600/DSC09093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OkoSoUr-dlE/UIYS0uyYUwI/AAAAAAAAHmQ/DpNdTNjnlT8/s320/DSC09093.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Claire &amp; Edenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02028196751611915573noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473946112044433095.post-33544303942249324292012-09-15T22:01:00.000-07:002012-09-15T22:05:51.628-07:00A letter for you: Attachment & Bonding <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh the whirlwind!! Found out Thursday that we were cleared to travel back to pick up our sweet boy and we leave TOMORROW! As we are getting ready to leave, I wanted to share this VERY important letter to all and everyone who will be around us the next few months as we bring our H home. We will be "cocooning" which means we will be staying close to home and working on our bonding and attachment with our son. We will be reading his cues to know when we can venture out more and expose him to more places and more people. Please read the letter below to understand the importance of teaching H who we are and what important role you can play!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ACgFqul6iqU/UFVb12CpbVI/AAAAAAAAHkY/FPO2DDDTKqc/s1600/DSC08465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ACgFqul6iqU/UFVb12CpbVI/AAAAAAAAHkY/FPO2DDDTKqc/s320/DSC08465.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Dear Family &amp; Friends,</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After over two years of waiting, our precious&nbsp;little guy will be finally home in a week! We know that</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">each of you&nbsp;reading this letter has, in some way, supported, loved and prayed for us. Because we know your care for H&nbsp;and our family, we want to share with you some information that we hope will best equip everyone around him to assist us in laying the strongest and healthiest foundation - emotionally, physically</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">and spiritually.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In many ways,&nbsp;H will be like the children who entered our family through birth; we will parent like other Christian families as we bring all of them up in the instruction and discipline of the Lord. But there will be a few, initial differences. For years now, we have researched bonding and attachment in children, especially those coming home through adoption from an institutional orphanage setting.</div><br />We are confident of this: God's design is PERFECT! His plan for parents and children is a beautiful and meaningful picture of His love for us. Attachment between a parent and child occurs over time when a baby has a physical or emotional need and communicates that need. The primary caretaker (usually mommy)<br />meets the need and soothes the child. This repeats between a parent and child over and over to create trust within the child for that parent; the baby is hungry, cries in distress, mom&nbsp;feeds &amp; calms the baby - which teaches him that this person is safe and can be trusted. By God's very design, an emotional foundation is laid in the tiniest of babies, which will affect their learning, conscience, growth and future relationships. The security provided by parents will, ultimately, give children a trust for and empathy towards others.<br /><br />Children who come home through adoption have experienced interruptions in this typical attachment process. The loss of a biological mother at an early age can be a major trauma on their little hearts. The good news is that we can now, as H's parents and family, rebuild attachment and help him heal from<br />these emotional wounds. When&nbsp;H comes home, he will be overwhelmed. Everything around him will be new and he will need to learn not just about his new environment, but also about love and family. He has not experienced God's design for a family in an orphanage setting. The best way for us to form a parent/child<br />bond is to be the ones to hold, snuggle, instruct, soothe and feed him. As this repeats between us, he will be able to learn that parents are safe to trust and to love deeply. We are, essentially, recreating the newborn/parent connection. Once H starts to establish this important bond, he will then be able to branch<br />out to other, healthy relationships.<br /><br />Our sweet boy&nbsp;will have, what may seem like, a lot of structure, boundaries and close proximity to us. Please know that these decisions are prayerfully and thoughtfully made choices based on immense amounts of research and instruction from trusted adoption mentors. We will be doing what we believe is best to help<br />him heal from those interruptions in attachment as effectively as possible. Why are we telling you all of this? Because you will actually play an awesome and vital role in helping our&nbsp;H settle in, heal, and lay a foundation for the future. There are a few areas in which you can help us:<br /><br />The first is to set physical boundaries. It will help us immensely if adults limit what is typically considered normal, physical contact with H. This will (for a while) include things like holding, excessive hugging and kissing. Children from orphanage settings are prone to attach too easily to anyone and everyone - which hinders the important, primary relationship with parents. Waving, blowing kisses or high fives are perfectly appropriate and welcomed! He should know that the people with whom he interacts are our trusted friends.<br /><br />Another area is redirecting H's desire to have his physical and emotional needs met by anyone (including strangers) to having us meet them. Orphans often have so many caretakers that they, as a survival mechanism, become overly charming toward all adults. A child struggling to learn to attach may exhibit<br />indiscriminate affection with people outside of their family unit. It may appear harmless and as if they are "very friendly" but this is actually quite dangerous for the child. To share this is difficult for us because we have snuggled, cared for, fed and loved so many of your children. Please understand that we want nothing more than to have&nbsp;H hugged, cuddled and cherished by ALL of you (he's totally irresistible and huggable). But until he has a firm understanding of family and primary attachments, we would be so grateful if you direct him to us if you see that he is seeking out food, affection or comfort.<br /><br />We are incredibly blessed to have so many loved ones around us. We couldn't ask for a better extended family &amp; circle of friends for our precious little guy. Thank you so much for your love and support over the past two and a half years. If you have any questions please feel free to ask at any time!Claire &amp; Edenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02028196751611915573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473946112044433095.post-6620841711431454762012-08-04T22:40:00.001-07:002012-08-04T22:40:22.101-07:00Ethiopia - Trip 1We've now been home for a week and as much as I want to share every detail on here, I have had quite a time processing everything we expereinced and saw. I journaled every detail for us and for "H"&nbsp;which was very therapuetic for in the midst of everything. I've never written so much in my life.<br /><br />Our H is beyond adorable - He is sweet, smiley, curious, observant, interactive, ticklish... wow, do I miss him terribly but we know that each day is one day closer to returning to bring him home. He had a "Mommy Rocks" bib on for our first meeting =)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0U2wKcwRwIA/UB3_xI0_FpI/AAAAAAAAHhE/AAIu3f7YQws/s1600/DSC00250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0U2wKcwRwIA/UB3_xI0_FpI/AAAAAAAAHhE/AAIu3f7YQws/s320/DSC00250.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;So here are some pictures (not really in chronological order but don't have time to change it) and if you've been on facebook, you've already seen these. We still can't post pictures or his name on public forums but you know I have the real deal with me if you see me and I'm ready to show anyone who wants to see them!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zPa22n5rQHQ/UB3_zJJiyjI/AAAAAAAAHhM/kJGZmxfns0M/s1600/DSC00308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="237" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zPa22n5rQHQ/UB3_zJJiyjI/AAAAAAAAHhM/kJGZmxfns0M/s320/DSC00308.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZQRGUDkqus/UB3_31BuUCI/AAAAAAAAHhU/ecgOGcXtMP4/s1600/DSC00361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZQRGUDkqus/UB3_31BuUCI/AAAAAAAAHhU/ecgOGcXtMP4/s320/DSC00361.JPG" width="251" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Father &amp; Son</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TF3frV2_ZYs/UB3_7veDJ8I/AAAAAAAAHhc/iGRIBEM8Pkw/s1600/DSC00365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TF3frV2_ZYs/UB3_7veDJ8I/AAAAAAAAHhc/iGRIBEM8Pkw/s320/DSC00365.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>&nbsp;We traveled with Josh and Andrea B and God knew we would be perfect travel buddies. We had the best time together and I know we will forever be friends! Here we are at the cultural dinner - ate amazing food, listened to traditional music and watched traditional dances. A wonderful evening out!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZBWVN7A1uY/UB4ABLgET9I/AAAAAAAAHhk/Hr5RN6r3iSs/s1600/DSC00388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZBWVN7A1uY/UB4ABLgET9I/AAAAAAAAHhk/Hr5RN6r3iSs/s320/DSC00388.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Yummy injera with all the good stuff </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_6-kobikvw/UB4AI4ua_RI/AAAAAAAAHhs/YUQMNMtroCY/s1600/DSC00419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_6-kobikvw/UB4AI4ua_RI/AAAAAAAAHhs/YUQMNMtroCY/s320/DSC00419.JPG" width="206" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Playing with daddy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gFhq3D31WsA/UB4ANyLwq4I/AAAAAAAAHh0/7SZ2KsjUdzc/s1600/DSC00463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gFhq3D31WsA/UB4ANyLwq4I/AAAAAAAAHh0/7SZ2KsjUdzc/s320/DSC00463.JPG" width="273" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Around town</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-stzx_9PgCIo/UB4ASKW4-YI/AAAAAAAAHh8/9EIaUe_eYHA/s1600/DSC00546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-stzx_9PgCIo/UB4ASKW4-YI/AAAAAAAAHh8/9EIaUe_eYHA/s320/DSC00546.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Shopping</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ncAK8dPvpJQ/UB4AdMfXs1I/AAAAAAAAHiE/PIHtwzJgERQ/s1600/DSC00574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ncAK8dPvpJQ/UB4AdMfXs1I/AAAAAAAAHiE/PIHtwzJgERQ/s320/DSC00574.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;"conjo" - beautiful</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tZMF2gDqocA/UB4Ah6Yl5LI/AAAAAAAAHiM/adh3R9DRXRI/s1600/DSC00680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tZMF2gDqocA/UB4Ah6Yl5LI/AAAAAAAAHiM/adh3R9DRXRI/s320/DSC00680.JPG" width="261" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;love this one - snapped it while moving through the van window and it just captures a story. 3 generations and look at that smile</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zq5LUa_eNDg/UB4Ao__a5AI/AAAAAAAAHiU/2fc14IYCBrI/s1600/DSC00681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="245" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zq5LUa_eNDg/UB4Ao__a5AI/AAAAAAAAHiU/2fc14IYCBrI/s320/DSC00681.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Door out of guest house</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a-GcVsfigTc/UB4Ar7y9-wI/AAAAAAAAHic/wxC3RHOU4mU/s1600/DSC00740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a-GcVsfigTc/UB4Ar7y9-wI/AAAAAAAAHic/wxC3RHOU4mU/s320/DSC00740.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;my sleeping angel</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0npnN2GrnzI/UB4AwbbxgTI/AAAAAAAAHik/1_vanBE34H4/s1600/DSC00761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="268" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0npnN2GrnzI/UB4AwbbxgTI/AAAAAAAAHik/1_vanBE34H4/s320/DSC00761.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;Claire and Eden were READY to have us home (Eden was sleeping in car)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aBwgLD28-gI/UB4Az_MRcUI/AAAAAAAAHis/y7vztrmU104/s1600/DSC00808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aBwgLD28-gI/UB4Az_MRcUI/AAAAAAAAHis/y7vztrmU104/s320/DSC00808.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;In traditional outfits we brought back</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MfQx74h1FyA/UB4A4IPqAFI/AAAAAAAAHi0/IOqINVOy3to/s1600/DSC00810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MfQx74h1FyA/UB4A4IPqAFI/AAAAAAAAHi0/IOqINVOy3to/s320/DSC00810.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Laundry drying at Hannah's hope trasitional home (run by AGCI)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E247vv4KHEo/UB4A_oHkTXI/AAAAAAAAHi8/w_TAgOqZj1k/s1600/DSC00226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E247vv4KHEo/UB4A_oHkTXI/AAAAAAAAHi8/w_TAgOqZj1k/s320/DSC00226.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PK2UM_tjcm8/UB4BEsq1LvI/AAAAAAAAHjE/jIQh0q87rEU/s1600/DSC00227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PK2UM_tjcm8/UB4BEsq1LvI/AAAAAAAAHjE/jIQh0q87rEU/s320/DSC00227.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Hannah's Hope</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CTW6gdI5mVI/UB4BKfqxlWI/AAAAAAAAHjM/umAhXj80U3Y/s1600/DSC00246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CTW6gdI5mVI/UB4BKfqxlWI/AAAAAAAAHjM/umAhXj80U3Y/s320/DSC00246.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;Not rare to see wondering livestock - we were told they know where they live and return when they are done roaming. And everyone knows who belongs to who! Much like dogs here<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jHhrP6e2Vj4/UB4BOkhLLvI/AAAAAAAAHjU/3DbOPyftzus/s1600/DSC00327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jHhrP6e2Vj4/UB4BOkhLLvI/AAAAAAAAHjU/3DbOPyftzus/s320/DSC00327.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;People and cars everywhere - this is the market Merkato - we didnt go drove by<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyLVb7KqEBQ/UB4BTinJ7pI/AAAAAAAAHjc/Kk5g7kvzvFk/s1600/DSC00330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyLVb7KqEBQ/UB4BTinJ7pI/AAAAAAAAHjc/Kk5g7kvzvFk/s320/DSC00330.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;The bananas were out of this world!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OAWUn1RIenw/UB4BYnI063I/AAAAAAAAHjk/OlOsP-YfE04/s1600/DSC00333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OAWUn1RIenw/UB4BYnI063I/AAAAAAAAHjk/OlOsP-YfE04/s320/DSC00333.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;As was the coffe "buna" - the best coffee I've ever had no matter where you had it!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XYBXhwsv-5k/UB4BdunsbUI/AAAAAAAAHjs/D-1jhh6VmA0/s1600/DSC00470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XYBXhwsv-5k/UB4BdunsbUI/AAAAAAAAHjs/D-1jhh6VmA0/s320/DSC00470.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;Beautiful woman roasting corn - what a fun evening and experience to meet her!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9faexipTgmI/UB4Bnhsk_-I/AAAAAAAAHj0/byd1QZ7xVWA/s1600/DSC00523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9faexipTgmI/UB4Bnhsk_-I/AAAAAAAAHj0/byd1QZ7xVWA/s320/DSC00523.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These are just a few of the highlights:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-buying and delivering a goat to the orphanage H was brought to before Hannah's Hope</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-getting locked out of HH and pounding on the gate to get back in</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-early morning prayers and chants over the loud speakers</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- obviously, meeting H for the first time and seeing him every time after that</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-spending time loving on the kids</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-shopping and having wonderful conversations and experiences with the people of ETH - they are kind and beautiful</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-passing court and hearing the words "He is yours!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-buying corn</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-cultural dinner - food was amazing and experiencing the music and dancing</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-cooking dinner with Andrea and Josh and eating in at the guest house while it poured</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-shopping at the supermarket - bananas and returning our bottles =)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-trying new foods and liking every single thing we ate</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-finding a beautiful painting to hang in our dining area that depicts africa</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And the best of all....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Seeing God's fingerprints over every.single.detail. This trip couldn't have been more beautifully orchestrated. Not that there weren't times that things weren't hard or challenging. We had to truly stop and process daily what had happened and what we had seen. Our hearts we full of joy and heavy at the same time. Our lives were forever changed and we continue to praise God for His faithfulness through this journey.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We pray to be back in ETH in 4-6 weeks so please join us as we wait for a US Embassy appointment in ETH to get "H" visa to bring him back home!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Btw we are keeping his given name and his middle name will be Samuel - H.Samuel Lewis - I like the sound of that!)</div>Claire &amp; Edenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02028196751611915573noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473946112044433095.post-62936782181727776772012-07-18T00:21:00.001-07:002012-07-18T00:21:34.046-07:00Leaving on a jet plane - part dosFor those of you who are on facebook you already know I've had this song in my head all day!! Well, it's 2:00 a.m. and I can confidently say we are ready with bags packed and everything coordinated while we are gone (hope so!)<br /><br />I'm feeling every emotional right now - excited, nervous, sad to leave the girls, looking forward to some down time on the plane and most of all anxious to meet our little H! This entire three weeks has been a complete rollercoaster but I wouldn't change it for the world. I'm so emotional right now I'll cry at the drop of a hat and I feel so out of control with my tears - feels very similar to the hormone surge I had right after I birthed Claire and Eden. I think my body is just getting ready to be a new mama again and once again, I wouldn't change it for the world. OH I can't WAIT to see him smile, kiss his head and cheeks, feed him, change his diaper, sing to him, tell him we love him forever and can't wait to bring him home... this will be a day we will forever be changed. (Might be Friday but we are scheduled to first see him Saturday)<br /><br />Please pray for us as we leave for our amazing physical journey to our son - Lord knows we've been on the emotional journey for years! Here are some specific requests:<br /><br />- Pray for H's heart to be prepared as we come into his world and he starts learning that we are now mom and dad. We will look different, sound different, smell different... might take some getting used to =)<br /><br />- Pray for our safety as we travel as well as for our health - I'm still battling some health issues and Neil is notoriously sick when we travel. Hoping to not use our cipro but we are prepared if so (thanks Justin!)<br /><br />- Pray for the girls - I'm nervous about leaving them this long as we've never stayed away longer than 2 nights. Claire is especially having a hard time with us leaving. She is really upset that we get to meet him and she doesn't and keeps saying "it's not fair" and "take a ton of video of H - make sure you get him making noises!" She has a tender heart that yearns to meet him just as much as we do. So hard to tell her she can't go. Eden is just excited to stay with the grandparents =) but talks about H - a lot!<br /><br />- Pray for us to make every moment count and to soak in as much of Ethiopia as we can. We want to experience the people and culture so we can relay it to H as we raise him. We want to remember every moment as they are now the moments weaving our lives and stories together<br /><br />- Pray that we get to meet H's birthmom - it's a slim chance because of where she lives but I've been praying this even before we were on a waitlist so I will continue to pray for this meeting to happen. <br /><br />- Pray for our hearts and minds to be prepared and open to see what we will see and hear what we will hear. I've always heard and read that once you go to Ethiopia you are forever changed and leave part of you in Africa. We will see some hard things and we will see some incredible, beautiful things. We want to be open to what God is showing us and where He is leading us!<br /><br />Thank you to so many of you who have been some of our #1 fans! We couldn't do this without your love and support. We are overwhelmed to see how the church just envelops each other and how great our God is through others. <br /><br />I will try to update on here but not sure what communication we will be able to have while in Ethiopia so stay tuned for when we return!Claire &amp; Edenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02028196751611915573noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473946112044433095.post-62987696410133706302012-07-07T19:46:00.000-07:002012-07-07T20:47:49.183-07:00Referral Call & Court Date Call!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(BEWARE! This post is LONG LONG LONG but ever so special for me to get it down for our family! Don't forget to check out the next post to see what donations we are collecting to take to Ethiopia with us!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After you've been waiting for something SO long and it finally happens, you don't want to forget a detail of the day, moment, feeling... to say we were surprised by our referral call would be an understatement. We were still what I thought unofficially #5 on the list and in the <strike>depths</strike> midst of renewing our homestudy paperwork. So here it is... after 21 months and 2 days on the waitlist (26 months after we started this amazing process of adoption) we got our referral call<u> throughout</u> the day of Thursday, June 28, 2012...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Woke up that morning to Claire complaining for the 3rd day that she had a sore throat after she had just finished a round of antibiotics for strep throat so I called and made an appointment for her and Eden since she had a persistent cough lingering for 3 weeks. Why not take them both if I can? The appointment couldn't be made with our dr. so we made it with another dr. in the same office on the opposite&nbsp;side of the building&nbsp;(this is significant). So I packed up the girls for Claire's swim lesson that morning at 10 a.m. - yes, we still went - and didn't really stop for the rest of the day! After swim lessons, the girls went to my weight watchers meeting with me, we quickly grabbed Chick-fil-a (I noticed I missed a call from a 971 number but it didn't register) and got to the dr. office for our appointment. On our way to the dr. office, I got a call that showed up as AGCI so I picked it up and spoke with our case manager "T". She said since we were updating our homestudy she was looking through it and saw a couple of inconsistencies in regards to our parameters. I had noticed that the week prior with our home agency social worker and thought it very strange that there was an inconsistency found this late in the game. "T" asked me to discuss it with Neil and to get back to her - when asked when she needed to know by, she asked me to call that day.&nbsp; Had to get the girls to their appointment and when we were taken back to a room, this is the one we were in - the African Safari room =) SO I had to take a picture because I thought "Oh how cool is that?!" and talked to the girls about the acacia trees in the background.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lkPUvvZz1wk/T_jWmOr8lWI/AAAAAAAAHfs/jenWzJK4bms/s1600/drguildeoffice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lkPUvvZz1wk/T_jWmOr8lWI/AAAAAAAAHfs/jenWzJK4bms/s320/drguildeoffice.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We wouldn't have regularly been in this room because remember it was on the other side of the office. When we were getting weighed, Claire caught a glimpse of a little girl peaking through another exam room and she said "Hannah!" which was a girl she knew from school. The little girl opened the door and I recognized the mom from working with her on the yearbook but we didn't know our girls knew each other from the playground. After a quick hello, we went back into the exam room to be diagnosed with another positive strep test and Eden with a sinus infection (yuck!) The mom and two girls (same age as my girls) were in the waiting room checking out when we left so we ended up talking more and quickly into the conversation she said "I don't know if I ever told you but we're adopting a little boy! The birthmom's due date is in two weeks so we are getting ready to bring him home!" SO of course I had to say "Really? We're adopting a little boy too but we're still #5 on our waitlist and don't really know when we will get our phone call. Actually, I was just on the phone with them this morning about something but it will probably still be awhile" (if I only knew!) So we really hit it off and exchanged numbers since we live in the same neighborhood and the girls will be in school together next year. I left thinking, that was really cool!! Just love it when God crosses our paths with others that we can relate to!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now back to getting on the phone with AGCI! Not thinking anything but the goal of clearing&nbsp;up our homestudy,&nbsp;I called Neil and we spoke about our parameter&nbsp;decision... one we had gone back and forth on over the past years and decided we were going to change our homestudy.&nbsp;Now, this has been on my heart for a VERY long time and when I asked Neil, he didn't even hesitate. I was floored and thanked Jesus in the same breath for such a peace about something we had really struggled with&nbsp;before (not that we always feel peaceful when it's God's will!). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So when I got home, I called "T" back and I told her we'd like to keep the parameters&nbsp;that was in the back&nbsp;of our homestudy and again, wondering how it was in there in the first place - thank you Lord - so she asked me a few other questions just to clarify. I looked a few things up while on the phone with her and then she said it "Well, then...I have a little boy to talk to you about..."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was STUNNED and almost speechless - all I could say was "No way! Are you serious?" and Claire was right by my side saying "What? What?"&nbsp; And with tears in my eyes, I told her we got our phone call for baby brother! She screamed, hugged me and ran into the next room to tell Eden.&nbsp; After only hearing that he was 3.5 months old and hearing his given name, I quickly got off the phone to call Neil so we could be on the call together with "T". When I told him "You need to come home now!" he couldn't believe this was it! We were all so surprised! Now I will tell you, the 20 minutes following our hangup was the LONGEST 20 minutes of pacing, celebrating with the girls (Eden was in her room cleaning it all on her own accord because "Baby brother is coming and he might put the small things in his mouth") and just not knowing what to do with myself! I was supposed to have a voice lesson in 5 minutes so I called them to let them know I had to cancel (the dad is an adopted dad himself so he totally understood!) but then we just waited. Claire wrote "H" a note with a giant heart and it said "We just got our call. We love you already. Can't wait to see you and hear what you learned in Africa." Could it get any sweeter?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The garage door went up and Claire FLEW out the door to hug Neil and Eden wasn't far behind! So we gathered by the computer in the bedroom and called "T" back. She wanted to go through all the details of our little guy before sending pictures which is a good thing because it helped keep my ears opened and mind focused. In retrospect, I'm glad I had that time waiting for Neil because it really gave me the time to calm down and be prepared to hear everything "T" was telling us. We put a movie on for the girls and then we heard the first words we ever knew of our little guy. We've never felt anything like it before... being so excited and heartbroken at the same time... it's nothing we could've ever been prepared for even though you've heard people speak of it before. And then we invited the girls in to see the pictures of him&nbsp;which only heightened these emotional polars. Such joyful tears but a sob I've never had before in my life... Neil and I were just overcome and I don't know how else to put it in words. To see his face...to study that little body...to love someone you've been praying for but are just laying eyes on...to see his birthmother's pain on the last day she held him... it's beyond words and comprehension. My heart is broken and we are humbled and honored </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We told "T" we would like to proceed so she sent all the paperwork to get started on. First thing first, a call to the international pediatrician and then out to get a picture printed to take over to our parents house to share our news! We went to Rome's pizza to celebrate and Claire made sure little "H"s picture was sitting on the table with us (we can't post anything public until we pass Embassy on our second trip!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our parents were thrilled and the girls enjoyed being part of telling them with the picture</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">as a surprise! Here are the proud sisters at Rome's =)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PK6rLaHDkNU/T_jS5ouGv9I/AAAAAAAAHe8/Kfe4rifd8KE/s1600/P1210589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PK6rLaHDkNU/T_jS5ouGv9I/AAAAAAAAHe8/Kfe4rifd8KE/s320/P1210589.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WfU9YIFoYaQ/T_jTIh3ZSfI/AAAAAAAAHfE/JcQx09IWH1Q/s1600/P1210590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" sca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WfU9YIFoYaQ/T_jTIh3ZSfI/AAAAAAAAHfE/JcQx09IWH1Q/s400/P1210590.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">celebrating with ice cream</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UsNXJoyIlNU/T_jTYlmhVlI/AAAAAAAAHfM/o9LU-94c4qw/s1600/P1210591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" sca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UsNXJoyIlNU/T_jTYlmhVlI/AAAAAAAAHfM/o9LU-94c4qw/s400/P1210591.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I insisted we get a picture of all 4 of us the day of our call and this is the best we got =) 9:30 p.m. and worn out with all the excitement and to-do list ahead of us</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dMXQTdlp9HQ/T_jUTwmgsDI/AAAAAAAAHfU/nt01yOpCcpc/s1600/P1210592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dMXQTdlp9HQ/T_jUTwmgsDI/AAAAAAAAHfU/nt01yOpCcpc/s320/P1210592.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The most amazing man in the world!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TxblUDkPuE0/T_jVA5HHuUI/AAAAAAAAHfc/rjN65xly3OM/s1600/P1210596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" sca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TxblUDkPuE0/T_jVA5HHuUI/AAAAAAAAHfc/rjN65xly3OM/s400/P1210596.JPG" width="365" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">So we were in the whirlwind of notarizing, overnighting paperwork, contacting the int. ped. over and over, calling and contacting everyone we wanted to tell before we posted on facebook,&nbsp; going to the dr. (for homestudy and me dealing with an infection and then an allergy to a medication that ended up with me in the ER Monday night)... the 4th of July&nbsp;holiday threw us off as the day before we were told we had to redo some of our paperwork and we were frantically trying to track down a letter from our social worker that took 5 days to get to us in the mail!!&nbsp;July 3rd we had gotten a message in one of our emails from "T" that she was really praying for our family to make it through before court closures (which was why we were feeling like we were literally racing the clock to get everything done ASAP!) but that she honestly didn't see us getting a courtdate before closures. I was disappointed and cried at the news&nbsp;convincing myself that we weren't going to meet him till October.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">To say the week was stressful, on top of my allergic reaction and the go around with 3 dr. offices for myself, is in understatement but we got through each late night and each day by the grace of God giving us the stamina we needed!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Friday, July 6th - yet another day that snuck up on us by surprise and will go down in history for our family. We celebrated Claire's last swim lesson with us all going to cheer her on! I included the pictures here since it was part of the day and I don't think I'll get back to them if I don't do it now... a family who knew our journey brought a baby gift to us and I broke down crying! She probably thought&nbsp;I was crazy but what a sweetheart to think of us and I told her I had just been an emotional mess!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">(Eden and Julianna enjoying their time in the baby pool while their siblings were in class)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-819KZDHKND8/T_jW47I50TI/AAAAAAAAHf0/6FIzIdrguCo/s1600/P1210618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-819KZDHKND8/T_jW47I50TI/AAAAAAAAHf0/6FIzIdrguCo/s320/P1210618.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">My fish with a mighty freestyle form</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E5HOwzt4Lwk/T_jXT9HT3-I/AAAAAAAAHf8/nSfHUcNWAfs/s1600/P1210622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" sca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E5HOwzt4Lwk/T_jXT9HT3-I/AAAAAAAAHf8/nSfHUcNWAfs/s400/P1210622.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">celebrating with donuts</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zJKS-FcVu_Q/T_jYOGCSomI/AAAAAAAAHgE/t4yMwUu3PNs/s1600/P1210631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zJKS-FcVu_Q/T_jYOGCSomI/AAAAAAAAHgE/t4yMwUu3PNs/s320/P1210631.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Claire and her swim coach, Kelsey</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8yjWsyn-OxE/T_jYoBWQg1I/AAAAAAAAHgM/JqNu4ffV0Jc/s1600/P1210632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8yjWsyn-OxE/T_jYoBWQg1I/AAAAAAAAHgM/JqNu4ffV0Jc/s320/P1210632.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-be9KzM8KFFI/T_jZG_hUVQI/AAAAAAAAHgU/VXbeA8f6UbA/s1600/P1210634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-be9KzM8KFFI/T_jZG_hUVQI/AAAAAAAAHgU/VXbeA8f6UbA/s320/P1210634.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We quickly got dried off, dressed and headed to Rome's (yes, again!) to meet up with some of Neil's coworkers and a formal coworker who was visiting from South America (he loves Rome's so it was his choice). 20 minutes into the meal I noticed I missed a call from 971 number and knew that we had someone else taking over our process as "T" is out of country for a few weeks. So I excused myself to call back and after "M" asked me how I was feeling she said "Do you think you'd be feeling up to traveling soon? Your court date is set for July 23rd!" Again, floored, surprised, taken aback... not knowing what to say or how to take it all in! I got all the info written down (get visa papers sent asap, call travel agents to get quotes, etc.) and got to celebrate with the girls, Neil and his friends with our amazing news! It was off and running again to get it all done on a Friday afternoon to the post office, money orders, passport pictures, calling a courier service, fill out application, call travel agent, get a quote, get it to AGCI to approve... my head was spinning and the craziest part? I had a dr. appt at 3 p.m. so we had one hour to get it all together so Neil could take over and get it where it needed to be (thanks to my dad for taking Eden to her swim lesson)! So I'm on my phone doing what I can as I have to literally SIT and WAIT in the dr. waiting room for one hour... oh the irony... I kept thinking "NO one in here knows what just happened to me and I want to tell them! All I can do it sit here and wait!" And you know what? The Lord just gave me a song "Be Still and Know that I Am God"... this whole journey has truly taught me about surrendering control, trusting Him... and I was once again in the position of not being in control literally (this is hard for me but God is refining me) and trusting that Neil would get it all done. And you know what? He did =) We make an incredible team! By the time I got home from the dr. we had everything completed along with our itinerary approved and tickets bought to leave in a week and a half. Now it's off to planning for the kids, researching and getting our immunizations done, making a photo album, getting donations for us to take to Hannah's Hope, coordinating all that was supposed to happen while we are now going to be preparing to leave or not here at all. My parents brought over these flowers and balloons to us to help us celebrate today! </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vZYm4HAY4nQ/T_jVkelkNBI/AAAAAAAAHfk/1NvtMKdaxc0/s1600/P1210635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vZYm4HAY4nQ/T_jVkelkNBI/AAAAAAAAHfk/1NvtMKdaxc0/s320/P1210635.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">This took a long time to compose but I really wanted to get it all down before I forgot any details since everything is happening lightening speed. I PRAISE our Father for moving mountains to get us to meet our son so quickly. There are so many of you who have been praying for us and supporting us throughout this journey and I thank you. God has used you to give us the strength when we needed it&nbsp;and has shown us His love through you all. </div>Claire &amp; Edenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02028196751611915573noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473946112044433095.post-67754405809412388292012-07-07T07:45:00.000-07:002012-07-07T07:45:02.630-07:00We're leaving on a jet plane - donations list!Everything is happening so fast - we haven't even gottent ow rite down our referral call on here but we got our court date yesterday - July 23rd!!&nbsp; We are all set with our travel dates and times (leaving Wed. the 18th and coming back the 25th)! Many have asked how you can help - we are taking donations for our agency's transitional home Hannah's Hope. If you can donate any of the items below, that would be really helpful and such a blessing!! Can't believe we will be meeting our little guy on July 21st - he will be just 4 months and 1 week and I will get to hug, kiss and tell him we love him! My birthday is the 15th and Neil's is the 25th and I'll have to say, this might just be the best birthday EVER!!!<br /><br />• Diapers of all sizes; please include preemie sizes<br /><br />• Baby wipes (this is always needed)<br /><br />• Bibs<br /><br />• ...Hand sanitizer<br /><br />• Kleenex boxes<br /><br />• Infant and children’s vitamins<br /><br />• Formula: vegetable-based Similac, soy-based Similac, as well as regular formula<br /><br />• Children’s clothing: this must be new or like new (no holes or stains)<br /><br />Toddler clothing and shoes (at this time we are asking that families do not take infant clothing)<br /><br />Light jackets or sweaters for all ages<br /><br />Boys’ clothing for ages 6-10 years old<br /><br />Girls’ clothing for ages 6-13 years old<br /><br />Underwear for all ages—please consider slim clothing<br /><br />Shoes for all ages, but especially older boys and girls. The popular “Croc” is great for these kids!<br /><br />• Bottles: Avent bottles for both 8-12 ounce feedings.<br /><br />• Diaper rash cream: Desitin is preferred, but A&amp;D ointment or Butt Paste is also useful.<br /><br />• Baby shampoos and baby oil<br /><br />• Shampoo, conditioner, and lotion for older children<br /><br />• Age appropriate development toys for infants and toddlers<br /><br />• Blow up balls/outside toys<br /><br />• Sidewalk chalk<br /><br />• Bubbles<br /><br />• Children’s DVDs and CDs<br /><br />• Men’s and women’s deodorant<br /><br />• Good quality electric shaver<br /><br />• Rechargeable camping lanterns (for when electricity is out)<br /><br />• Twin sheets (mainly flats) in children’s patterns and colors of pink, purple, red, blue, and green. Solid or<br /><br />print materials are both acceptable.Claire &amp; Edenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02028196751611915573noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473946112044433095.post-4550480070783939752012-07-05T21:15:00.001-07:002012-07-05T21:49:43.413-07:00Random catching up from May and June<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well, I'm back! Honestly, I needed to take a little hiatus from the blog world - writing them, reading them, getting lost in them but just tonight I tumbled across some really inspiring posts from people I know and people I'll probably never meet. My evenings have been filled up with so many other things so along with NEEDING a little break, I also just had other things to get done. So, this is my photo makeup for the past month! I can't post everything but here are some highlights and just some fun things too =)</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Eden just loved her teachers this year - Ms. Myra and Ms. Megan - and asks almost daily to see them... still... even on July 5th... she can't WAIT to get back to school but is still trying to understand she will have different teachers! This is them at their end of the year program in her Red Classroom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y5LSIpBjgkw/T_ZRb7nAKUI/AAAAAAAAHZ0/gpdKS96Wadc/s1600/P1210297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y5LSIpBjgkw/T_ZRb7nAKUI/AAAAAAAAHZ0/gpdKS96Wadc/s320/P1210297.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Mother's Day is almost my favorite holiday because when we didn't do anything to deserve our birthday, I feel like honoring our mother's (and father's on their day) is something really special! The girls spoiled me with cards and letters and such cute stuff about 2 weeks before mother's day and mostly on their own accord. We had a wonderful morning of worship and then spent time with the family at Billy's restaurant!<br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WAEdD0IsJlM/T_ZRmmfGJmI/AAAAAAAAHZ8/zd712oPxPlM/s1600/P1210316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WAEdD0IsJlM/T_ZRmmfGJmI/AAAAAAAAHZ8/zd712oPxPlM/s320/P1210316.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WAEdD0IsJlM/T_ZRmmfGJmI/AAAAAAAAHZ8/zd712oPxPlM/s1600/P1210316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; height: 261px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 308px;">﻿﻿ </a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PX9YnS313FM/T_ZcYVmKvfI/AAAAAAAAHdQ/n7BwrvM9kvo/s1600/P1210323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" sca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PX9YnS313FM/T_ZcYVmKvfI/AAAAAAAAHdQ/n7BwrvM9kvo/s320/P1210323.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy and his girls!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nEeC6N1ep_Y/T_ZSLffStfI/AAAAAAAAHaY/P4HS4AjeCBo/s1600/P1210340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" sca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nEeC6N1ep_Y/T_ZSLffStfI/AAAAAAAAHaY/P4HS4AjeCBo/s320/P1210340.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We stopped to visit with Mimi and Poppa too!</td></tr></tbody></table>Daddy and his girls just hanging out in our usual choice of dress - the swimsuit<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T9sSerrWWas/T_ZSVU8K_OI/AAAAAAAAHag/7rwRU3Y7L_4/s1600/P1210365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T9sSerrWWas/T_ZSVU8K_OI/AAAAAAAAHag/7rwRU3Y7L_4/s320/P1210365.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Claire chose between gymnastics&nbsp;over T-ball for the spring this year... she LOVED her gymnastics class and has really improved with her strength and balance. Her favorite is balance beam.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--xplb8bvlZo/T_ZSeevx-gI/AAAAAAAAHas/HOS58tgVSEo/s1600/P1210380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--xplb8bvlZo/T_ZSeevx-gI/AAAAAAAAHas/HOS58tgVSEo/s320/P1210380.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">They each got medals for their end of the season performance!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PPiTfusgWQo/T_ZSmfUorII/AAAAAAAAHa0/qhLYxfPC9xU/s1600/P1210387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PPiTfusgWQo/T_ZSmfUorII/AAAAAAAAHa0/qhLYxfPC9xU/s320/P1210387.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We've really enjoyed just hanging out with friends!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_5ZIB5tMRJQ/T_ZSw_xEAFI/AAAAAAAAHa8/G4oQoexvVb4/s1600/P1210392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_5ZIB5tMRJQ/T_ZSw_xEAFI/AAAAAAAAHa8/G4oQoexvVb4/s320/P1210392.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Lamar crew - Charlie, Andy and Mary</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KcZoO4s98rg/T_ZS7DiPyKI/AAAAAAAAHbI/bO6zDv_KjKU/s1600/P1210394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KcZoO4s98rg/T_ZS7DiPyKI/AAAAAAAAHbI/bO6zDv_KjKU/s320/P1210394.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Eden's playgroup friends while the big girls are at school! Lyla, Lily, Eden and Lydia - we have a lot of "L" names in this bunch!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PArp_FDTA2U/T_ZTFZZv_JI/AAAAAAAAHbQ/IIlBPdccXYQ/s1600/P1210402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PArp_FDTA2U/T_ZTFZZv_JI/AAAAAAAAHbQ/IIlBPdccXYQ/s320/P1210402.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dliHNNzafTY/T_ZV4MRmyXI/AAAAAAAAHbk/qeS_rsqOX1w/s1600/P1210403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dliHNNzafTY/T_ZV4MRmyXI/AAAAAAAAHbk/qeS_rsqOX1w/s320/P1210403.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A Jed sandwich! Loved our visit with the Bowers family!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UNSvg1Dkzws/T_Zt-6ugsZI/AAAAAAAAHew/OT_-l8hMpUo/s1600/P1210415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UNSvg1Dkzws/T_Zt-6ugsZI/AAAAAAAAHew/OT_-l8hMpUo/s320/P1210415.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have loved celebrating with my friends too! SO proud of Marie for graduating from PA school after teaching biology for a number of years. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tiEKOCwZ-Jk/T_ZWH3wC2DI/AAAAAAAAHbs/n09DN-5Uvuw/s1600/P1210419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tiEKOCwZ-Jk/T_ZWH3wC2DI/AAAAAAAAHbs/n09DN-5Uvuw/s320/P1210419.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Claire's last day of school came way too fast! Can't believe she is now a 1st grader! She chose her end of the year outfit =) Daddy's Rock Star with her nest necklace from Meredith!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VPqe38iEYK8/T_ZWjT3ITfI/AAAAAAAAHb0/-5wmsjQ6UYc/s1600/P1210436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VPqe38iEYK8/T_ZWjT3ITfI/AAAAAAAAHb0/-5wmsjQ6UYc/s320/P1210436.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">sweet sisters</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WKoOWYOGuJE/T_ZXJQN1szI/AAAAAAAAHcA/slRhTfAX0GA/s1600/P1210437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WKoOWYOGuJE/T_ZXJQN1szI/AAAAAAAAHcA/slRhTfAX0GA/s320/P1210437.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We've had some great visits with Heather, Mike and Pierce - can't believe how fast he is growing up too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nsUyclhaF_4/T_ZYQXsxXjI/AAAAAAAAHcQ/YBKS-NlkRng/s1600/P1210438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nsUyclhaF_4/T_ZYQXsxXjI/AAAAAAAAHcQ/YBKS-NlkRng/s320/P1210438.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Can't be spring and summer without some nature projects! We watched carefully for weeks as a birds nest was built on our front door and out of 6 eggs, 2 hatched. I could write a whole blog on the pics of these little ones... how I get totally immersed in the nature projects around here! I think I like them more than anyone else!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p6mBdCMKsis/T_ZYnwNddeI/AAAAAAAAHcY/LbNhuggT0Yg/s1600/P1210440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p6mBdCMKsis/T_ZYnwNddeI/AAAAAAAAHcY/LbNhuggT0Yg/s320/P1210440.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Celebrating with more friends! Danielle is expecting her first and it was great to all get together to shower her with love!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vYqVIGLr0d8/T_ZZSYVnAtI/AAAAAAAAHco/_N2QzPSiHaE/s1600/P1210453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vYqVIGLr0d8/T_ZZSYVnAtI/AAAAAAAAHco/_N2QzPSiHaE/s320/P1210453.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Crystal with Julia, Casey, Christina, Danielle, Marie, Me and Kate with Everett</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WjW-tEGWlOo/T_ZZ3zMNy4I/AAAAAAAAHc4/HRc-WiLtaP8/s1600/P1210452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WjW-tEGWlOo/T_ZZ3zMNy4I/AAAAAAAAHc4/HRc-WiLtaP8/s320/P1210452.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And yet another nature project (these aren't really in good groupings are they? That's really bothering me but I don't have the time to reorganize!)&nbsp; We were given these AMAZING Tobacco Hornworms and Claire really got into learning about them. They really are unique in how they cocoon and their behaviors. Our kitty Rollo liked them too =) We didn't end up having a successful cocoon and emerging like we've had in years past but it was still really cool and the girls were proud to show them to their friends!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwaH1bxzTio/T_ZZk1X4O1I/AAAAAAAAHcw/FPRNgmmlp2A/s1600/P1210458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwaH1bxzTio/T_ZZk1X4O1I/AAAAAAAAHcw/FPRNgmmlp2A/s320/P1210458.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-INueRGiftTI/T_Zc8v5kPcI/AAAAAAAAHdY/m432aVpA73U/s1600/P1210460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-INueRGiftTI/T_Zc8v5kPcI/AAAAAAAAHdY/m432aVpA73U/s320/P1210460.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One morning, after a glorious sleeping in thanks to Neil, I woke up to the cutest bus set up I've seen =) These girls could play together for hours and I'm so thankful for that blessing! Each chair is labeled for each&nbsp; of us including brother in the back!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RfP9ZmkjI2E/T_ZdTHQIxfI/AAAAAAAAHdg/qfxZwPLPvF8/s1600/P1210468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RfP9ZmkjI2E/T_ZdTHQIxfI/AAAAAAAAHdg/qfxZwPLPvF8/s320/P1210468.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uTFnI29Sn7E/T_ZdjtZ-l0I/AAAAAAAAHdo/e_RYjt5ryxQ/s1600/P1210469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uTFnI29Sn7E/T_ZdjtZ-l0I/AAAAAAAAHdo/e_RYjt5ryxQ/s320/P1210469.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kQ7wW90ZCQ8/T_Zdz8BgZ3I/AAAAAAAAHdw/pGyoPqFrksA/s1600/P1210470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kQ7wW90ZCQ8/T_Zdz8BgZ3I/AAAAAAAAHdw/pGyoPqFrksA/s320/P1210470.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We've spent a little time out at Sea World and the girls had a great time learning the difference between seals and sea lions. They thought the nursing mother was so cute and I just loved seeing that sweet little sea lion be cuddled by her mommy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c09ionaXZBY/T_ZeR9_Yb6I/AAAAAAAAHd4/Fe_OJY3qI5w/s1600/P1210473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c09ionaXZBY/T_ZeR9_Yb6I/AAAAAAAAHd4/Fe_OJY3qI5w/s320/P1210473.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Having fun at Bay of Play at Sea World!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T0XFfi518cY/T_Zek4NdihI/AAAAAAAAHeA/LDBLnH2yqeA/s1600/P1210477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T0XFfi518cY/T_Zek4NdihI/AAAAAAAAHeA/LDBLnH2yqeA/s320/P1210477.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We went to a fundraiser for Children's Cancer called "Reese's Royal Ball" and the girls loved getting ready for the ball - nails and hair done by mommy and even mommy dressed up with them =) Its was a great event for an even greater cause!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3hVae92nh8/T_ZaSdwhgcI/AAAAAAAAHdA/OT4GAt4YRcM/s1600/P1210485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3hVae92nh8/T_ZaSdwhgcI/AAAAAAAAHdA/OT4GAt4YRcM/s320/P1210485.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These girls can't go a day without building something and playing with their squinkies! This one was built for daddy and this pic ended up on a decorated snack jar for Daddy's office for Father's Day</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U8ov_KX1tCM/T_ZaimQ5R0I/AAAAAAAAHdI/V3THIWAtQ8w/s1600/P1210505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U8ov_KX1tCM/T_ZaimQ5R0I/AAAAAAAAHdI/V3THIWAtQ8w/s320/P1210505.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">OK.... that's enough! Next up, anniversary post and another one on&nbsp;my little scientists =)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you got this far, here is a nugget: we've actually got our referral for our amazing son in Ethiopia a week ago today on June 28th and I'm working on that blog post... it's not an easy one to write! Our hearts are overjoyed as well as grieving so it's not easy to put it all in words and some of it just won't be. Can't wait to share the news with those of you who didn't know yet!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1wCeiLzzhWk/T_ZRylwd4fI/AAAAAAAAHaE/Y_WrBsogibc/s1600/P1210338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" sca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1wCeiLzzhWk/T_ZRylwd4fI/AAAAAAAAHaE/Y_WrBsogibc/s200/P1210338.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jenny came into town too!</td></tr></tbody></table>﻿﻿ <br /><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Claire &amp; Edenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02028196751611915573noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473946112044433095.post-12381789035593208252012-07-05T11:24:00.000-07:002012-07-07T11:25:21.241-07:009 years and counting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">June 21st, 2003 was one of the best days&nbsp;of my life but it was just the beginning of this amazing journey the Lord has partnered Neil and I to be on together! After 9 years, we have been through so much and look forward to what the next years will bring into our lives. Sometimes I can't believe how much we have changed as people in this time together - how the Lord has transformed our hearts, our points of view, our faith, our priorities, etc. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We always like to take the time to celebrate together so we had an evening to go to dinner and then enjoy some live music with some friends... it was a perfect evening especially as we had just completed our third home study visit the day before!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zHDMyD8Iap0/T_Zo6QclnAI/AAAAAAAAHeM/P4CoLkQvs38/s1600/P1210516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zHDMyD8Iap0/T_Zo6QclnAI/AAAAAAAAHeM/P4CoLkQvs38/s320/P1210516.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Love of my life!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-knpOZO6ei1g/T_ZpGPiCKZI/AAAAAAAAHeU/ad6FNxfYo2o/s1600/P1210517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-knpOZO6ei1g/T_ZpGPiCKZI/AAAAAAAAHeU/ad6FNxfYo2o/s320/P1210517.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S9EYzETOnFE/T_ZpQmcNaYI/AAAAAAAAHec/7cJNESfptUQ/s1600/P1210519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" sca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S9EYzETOnFE/T_ZpQmcNaYI/AAAAAAAAHec/7cJNESfptUQ/s320/P1210519.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love you Neil!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You're God's gift to me, to our children and to everyone who knows your heart!</div>Claire &amp; Edenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02028196751611915573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473946112044433095.post-29214798949809494072012-05-23T12:53:00.000-07:002012-05-23T12:53:50.799-07:00LegacyMonday, May 14th Maw Maw, Vera Springer, passed away after such a short struggle with her pancreatic cancer. It was 2 1/2 weeks since her diagnosis and 2 weeks to the day that she was given 2-8 weeks. It's hard to believe&nbsp;and although it's so hard to say goodbye, we see so much blessing during those 2 1/2 weeks and God's hand in so many of the details. She was in her home which meant a lot to her, she was surrounded by family, so many traveled to see her for the last time, she didn't have to struggle for months and be in pain any longer and best of all the blessing of reaching her eternal home with her Heavenly Father!&nbsp;I just love this picture of her holding Claire for the first time on Mother's Day 2006.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jH02j7hubqY/T7m4N9zW89I/AAAAAAAAHZg/nLyZSuPXy2o/s320/IMGP1673.JPG" width="240" /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Maw Maw was a wonderful, Christian woman who was often spoken of as a servant and also for her wonderful cooking - famous for her roast, homemade biscuits and Neil's favorite for Thanksgiving, her cherry pie. We never left her house without magazines she would pass along to Neil and she would tell us of interesting articles she had read. She would tell us story after story of her past which amazed us at how much detail she could remember after so many years. Our times spent there with the girls were so sweet. I admired her and especially with my grandma living so far away, I loved her as my very own. <br /><br />I'm sad she will not be able to see&nbsp;us bring home our son and that Eden probably won't remember her except through stories and pictures. When we told Claire she was going to have to remember Maw Maw and tell Eden and brother all about her she said "I remember her mom - she was so sweet to me. I remember going to church with her. I always liked that." Claire drew a picture of Jesus on the back of one of Maw Maw's church cards from our last time there - we will definately&nbsp;be keeping that one.<br /><br />This whole experience has been interesting for us as a family&nbsp;as we are teaching the girls about with life comes death. Death is not a foreign topic in our home as we talk about it probably unusually often. I think this has helped a lot but it is the first time the girls are asking questions and have lost someone they know and love. What a blessing they knew their Great Grandma!! Claire has been especially inquisitive and quite profound. Right after telling her, she asked to be excused from the table and immediately started acting out burying a ball saying it was Maw Maw along with a sweet picture she drew&nbsp;and words written about missing her already. Sometimes it's hard to believe she is only 6 yrs old like when we were on our way to the funeral and she said "Sometimes I wonder who am I? and what am I doing here?" Neil and I just looked at each other surprised and then we talked about it =)&nbsp;After the funeral, she also asked "The bible says if you believe in Jesus then you will have eternal life but Maw Maw didn't have eternal life. She died."&nbsp;&nbsp;Even with us speaking daily of heaven and Jesus being the way to eternal life we needed to&nbsp;connect the dots and reassure her that she is living eternally now!!<br /><br />Here is another one of my favorites&nbsp;down by the river after we ate out at Acapulco&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yXAEisBIaE4/T7m4Pb9xPkI/AAAAAAAAHZo/GPDVZwdB1Zo/s1600/P1160349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yXAEisBIaE4/T7m4Pb9xPkI/AAAAAAAAHZo/GPDVZwdB1Zo/s320/P1160349.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are Neil and Claire outside the funeral home after the service. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iWp86LUbqhs/T7m2Lu_3SuI/AAAAAAAAHZY/3jtiz00mGhM/s1600/P1210346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iWp86LUbqhs/T7m2Lu_3SuI/AAAAAAAAHZY/3jtiz00mGhM/s320/P1210346.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Eden stayed back home with Eric and my dad. It was actually a sweet time for the three of us to spend together. We drove up to Goldthwaite, TX for the burial and spent some time at a park with family before heading back. What a gorgeous day it was - breezy and sunny and not too hot. The three of us has such a memorable day together as we celebrated and remembered Maw Maw.</div>Claire &amp; Edenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02028196751611915573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473946112044433095.post-81733039731284829002012-05-11T21:45:00.001-07:002012-05-11T21:45:34.471-07:00Maw Maw<div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">﻿Two weeks ago yesterday Neil's grandmother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.&nbsp;Maw Maw&nbsp;is 93 and has been so healthy so this all came as a surprise after her not feeling well after about 6 weeks. We have seen her twice since then. The four of us went to Kerrville and spent some really great time with her at her home while she is on hospice. The visit was so sweet... pretty much her same old self telling us stories about when she played basketball in high school - she was one of the tallest and "quick as lightening". Claire served her lunch and the girls&nbsp;made her pictures. She looked good and again, was her same self except for not being able to get out of bed. On our way out she told me I was such a blessing to their family and I can't help but think of how much she has blessed MY life.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Eating popsicles in Maw Maw's backyard</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jK3J2OrRV58/T63R7FyofiI/AAAAAAAAHWk/k45lipYtjBo/s1600/P1210203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jK3J2OrRV58/T63R7FyofiI/AAAAAAAAHWk/k45lipYtjBo/s320/P1210203.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Hair Hats at one of Neil's childhood favorite stores, Gibson's</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-He7gVHDYk5M/T63SqAKbNTI/AAAAAAAAHW0/qKfBA6vj5Hg/s1600/P1210217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-He7gVHDYk5M/T63SqAKbNTI/AAAAAAAAHW0/qKfBA6vj5Hg/s320/P1210217.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gOLZJUE3uEA/T63WNQbt6ZI/AAAAAAAAHXQ/yvZRciY1Uoo/s1600/P1210223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gOLZJUE3uEA/T63WNQbt6ZI/AAAAAAAAHXQ/yvZRciY1Uoo/s320/P1210223.JPG" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="320" /></a>Visiting the river<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OOXMewiKenI/T63V7lclP0I/AAAAAAAAHXI/mY4ZIOmkaZY/s1600/P1210219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OOXMewiKenI/T63V7lclP0I/AAAAAAAAHXI/mY4ZIOmkaZY/s320/P1210219.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">On our way home we stopped to pick blackberries. It was a hot afternoon but Eden is still talking about it! Such beautiful colors as the berries ripen. The blackberries were yummy and especially in the cobbler I made!</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3YeAJiZkw0/T63WbDZ2QbI/AAAAAAAAHXY/LyUeryHEwM4/s1600/P1210226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3YeAJiZkw0/T63WbDZ2QbI/AAAAAAAAHXY/LyUeryHEwM4/s320/P1210226.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cWipyjou7cM/T63XB37i_TI/AAAAAAAAHXo/xIbCmuKFNok/s1600/P1210228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cWipyjou7cM/T63XB37i_TI/AAAAAAAAHXo/xIbCmuKFNok/s320/P1210228.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x_veB_kZ0rc/T63XcwERocI/AAAAAAAAHXw/2wgc9FDGOvU/s1600/P1210232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x_veB_kZ0rc/T63XcwERocI/AAAAAAAAHXw/2wgc9FDGOvU/s320/P1210232.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_YQaluYY-Y0/T63Xy-TSCGI/AAAAAAAAHX4/BnRpiN6kVGQ/s1600/P1210234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_YQaluYY-Y0/T63Xy-TSCGI/AAAAAAAAHX4/BnRpiN6kVGQ/s320/P1210234.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SqrBV6pBuKA/T63YDtUtpuI/AAAAAAAAHYA/N3gqD9P5H4w/s1600/P1210235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SqrBV6pBuKA/T63YDtUtpuI/AAAAAAAAHYA/N3gqD9P5H4w/s320/P1210235.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J6IQhuYeqSA/T63YSFk6KBI/AAAAAAAAHYI/cdj6Cfht5pg/s1600/P1210239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J6IQhuYeqSA/T63YSFk6KBI/AAAAAAAAHYI/cdj6Cfht5pg/s320/P1210239.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PtdaHM7nmzk/T63YlejEHWI/AAAAAAAAHYQ/-GN05J6UeyQ/s1600/P1210240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PtdaHM7nmzk/T63YlejEHWI/AAAAAAAAHYQ/-GN05J6UeyQ/s320/P1210240.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DHPywYQoDW0/T63Y1EvX6SI/AAAAAAAAHYY/Ib4XIh2i2OA/s1600/P1210245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DHPywYQoDW0/T63Y1EvX6SI/AAAAAAAAHYY/Ib4XIh2i2OA/s320/P1210245.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MQCKHUZU5Pc/T6dBYyoELgI/AAAAAAAAHWQ/V9svKHvsJ0w/s1600/P1210246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MQCKHUZU5Pc/T6dBYyoELgI/AAAAAAAAHWQ/V9svKHvsJ0w/s320/P1210246.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-byss1q6AweI/T6dBAfcUiYI/AAAAAAAAHWI/pWZvI-dwK04/s1600/P1210249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-byss1q6AweI/T6dBAfcUiYI/AAAAAAAAHWI/pWZvI-dwK04/s320/P1210249.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Today we made our second trip to Kerrville. It was much different and harder but still sweet&nbsp;in many&nbsp;ways. Maw Maw was visibly more sick, uncomfortable, no longer eating, hardly able to talk, got sick while we were there, bedroom door closed... it's so hard to see someone you love anticipate the end of life and be in pain - no matter how peaceful they are about their salvation. Now for the sweet parts - Neil was able to share with Maw Maw how much he always loves her cherry pie - she said "You and John". And how he remembers the smell of her breakfasts cooking when she would come to visit or he would stay with her.&nbsp; Also, Neil's cousin from Kingwood and another from Colorado&nbsp;was in to see her so we were able to visit them and the girls spent time with their second cousins. Went to the creek bed, played outside, laughed up a storm while eating ice cream, ate clementines....making memories. &nbsp;I also got to spend some special time with Elaine listening and doing my best to comfort her. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pjA59H2yNRs/T63ekRLJHmI/AAAAAAAAHY0/FO9km1iu8xI/s1600/P1210272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; height: 381px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; width: 241px;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pjA59H2yNRs/T63ekRLJHmI/AAAAAAAAHY0/FO9km1iu8xI/s320/P1210272.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-21oYjVTYDBQ/T63d1RncKDI/AAAAAAAAHYk/bfRWLmnbL4c/s1600/P1210262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-21oYjVTYDBQ/T63d1RncKDI/AAAAAAAAHYk/bfRWLmnbL4c/s320/P1210262.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jCKvHsFIS0A/T63eMpWMYzI/AAAAAAAAHYs/aUEyvq9JSDc/s1600/P1210270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jCKvHsFIS0A/T63eMpWMYzI/AAAAAAAAHYs/aUEyvq9JSDc/s320/P1210270.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cmcEBm4IE7A/T63e4L4DOiI/AAAAAAAAHY8/mt5g7DbiHvk/s1600/P1210273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cmcEBm4IE7A/T63e4L4DOiI/AAAAAAAAHY8/mt5g7DbiHvk/s320/P1210273.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o50jEGH4OaY/T63fMwEXllI/AAAAAAAAHZE/6DW0QzStB10/s1600/P1210274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o50jEGH4OaY/T63fMwEXllI/AAAAAAAAHZE/6DW0QzStB10/s320/P1210274.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Annabelle, Eden, Claire, Ethan and Cameron</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qe1YPMm-8Kw/T63foyPzuDI/AAAAAAAAHZM/ZmaJ9dwHpZw/s1600/P1210277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qe1YPMm-8Kw/T63foyPzuDI/AAAAAAAAHZM/ZmaJ9dwHpZw/s320/P1210277.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><img height="72" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gOLZJUE3uEA/T63WNQbt6ZI/AAAAAAAAHXQ/yvZRciY1Uoo/s320/P1210223.JPG" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 230px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 1191px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" /><br /><img height="96" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kXgCR1Zvr3A/T63WqdjQZnI/AAAAAAAAHXg/3JjlUYL66AE/s320/P1210227.JPG" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 444px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 1501px; visibility: hidden;" width="72" /> <div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Saying goodbye was really hard. Elaine thinks she will pass away soon. Neil plans to go back Monday or Tuesday. Please keep Neil's family in your prayers!</div>Claire &amp; Edenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02028196751611915573noreply@blogger.com2